United and great Britain in danger of disharmony

Sadly, we seem to be witnessing the end of the UK as a harmonious place as it descends into political and moral collapse (Henry Ergas: “Brexit reveals what parliament thinks of the people”, 6/9).

Despite a democratic vote in the referendum to leave the European Union, where a majority of the people voting supported the “leave” option, a feeble rabble of a Labour Party can’t agree among themselves what policy they have regarding an election, leaving or staying or just marking time.

The crippling situation of a parliament that is reduced to a squabbling mess, torn apart by factionalism, is an indictment of all involved. If a hapless Britain, devoid of its unity and strength, is sucked into the faltering EU whirlpool, then neither side of the equation will survive. Should the UK survive this catastrophic mess and retain the sum of its parts, the world is its oyster. Should it become subsumed into the continuing disaster of the EU, it will only be a shell.

Allan Caton, Mount Eliza, Vic

In 1975, John Kerr perceived, erroneously or otherwise, that the government of the day faced the gridlock of denial of supply, and intervened to call an election to break the gridlock.

In Britain today, the government of the day faces a deadlock on a number of issues, all apparently insoluble. Where, then, is the Queen? Her role is ostensibly to solve these problems by exercising supra-political and constitutional powers, acting as an umpire, preferably to create a new mandate by calling an election.

This is meant to be the power and relevance of the monarchy. If the monarchy does not clear the decks for the legislature, then what possible use does it have?

Baden Eunson, Brighton, Vic

Boris Johnson is sticking with the people and he has made the point that there is no halfway house on Brexit.

The Tory rebels who crossed the floor of the house are part of the British establishment that wants to remain in the EU despite the will of the people. They have effectively joined the efforts to frustrate a Brexit deal with the EU and, in doing so, have weakened Mr Johnson’s ability to obtain an exit deal acceptable to the people who voted to leave the EU. Mr Johnson needs to remind the Commons rabble and the British people whose will he is keen to implement. The rebels have handed Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn an undeserved gift horse.

Mr Johnson and his Cabinet need to ensure that the rebels’ bloody-mindedness does not cost Britain and the struggling global economy dearly.

Ray Parkin, Wynnum, Qld

It is a travesty that Boris Johnson is being thwarted in his objective to keep Britain great.

As prime minister, he gets it: like the majority of Aussies, the Brits want to be a free, democratic, sovereign, self-governing nation responsible for their own destiny. What part of that won’t the Remainers respect?

Surely, Mr Johnson’s mission will not be impossible, but accomplished. Time, obviously, will tell.

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

On the face of it, the UK parliament has snookered Boris Johnson. But, has it really?

The default position is a Brexit on October 31, with or without a deal. The bill passed by the British parliament obliges the prime minister to either persuade parliament to pass a deal or approve a no- deal Brexit.

This outcome will not occur, as parliament has been prorogued. Failing that, the prime minister must write to the European Union after October 19, seeking an extension until January 31 next year, using a form of letter humiliatingly contained in the bill.

What is to prevent Boris Johnson withdrawing his request for an election next week, sending the approved letter requesting an extension some time after October 19, together with his own letter declaring that whilst he remains prime minister, the United Kingdom will not agree to an Irish backstop, not pay any “divorce bill” and not remain part of any EU customs union.

The response denying an extension would be swift and predictable, and Mr Johnson will achieve his goal barely a week later.

He can then seek an election as the leader who delivered Brexit.

John McLeod, Sunshine Coast, Qld