Brexit without a deal will be disastrous and every effort should be made get a deal done before the red hour. Everything will be profoundly affected including land, sea, and skies. Economically the UK is heading into the most uncertain and dangerous economic waters it has ever dared to be in. It may even lead to the breakup of the UK, dare it be said, if it all goes horribly wrong. Brexit without a deal should be unthinkable and will leave Ireland and the UK in a perilous and vulnerable position. Already, vehicle manufacturing giant Nissan has indicated its nervousness about the political and economic uncertainty. There has been much discussion about the Irish backstop of no border, but little about the very damaging effect Brexit will have on the UK as a whole. The transition from a EU country to a WTO jurisdiction is massive and all the more so because the UK is a superpower with worldly influence. That great influence is generating negative effects with Brexit. Anything could happen after Brexit and already major shifts in thinking are present in the business world. Border, no border, backstop expiry dates, and still nothing agreed. There are so many problems associated with Brexit that any notion of having a no-deal Brexit is a dangerous proposition which will in all probability lead to absolute chaos and enormous friction as it is doing right now. In such a scenario, markets will be in turmoil. Much has been said about the problems Ireland will face, but the consequences for the UK could be far worse. The UK could find itself in a very alienated and isolated place after March. Without a deal, the UK will have a very difficult time dealing with EU countries which can be in nobody’s interest. The UK is not a republic, with devolved administrations and dependencies, which may weaken their union if Brexit goes very sour. Brexit is in crisis and ill-thought out, which was clearly evident on Donald Tusk’s face as he spoke of “a hell” for those who instigated it. Brexit has the potential to break up the UK and all those who trade with her by backfiring badly with a litany of trade and tariff issues. There is no doubt that Number 10 is feeling the heat which can be clearly seen on Theresa May’s face. Divorce proceedings are not going well and without things being finalised the wound will continue to bleed long after D-day. The risks to the UK are as great as they are to Ireland’s future. Perhaps the UK is taking the biggest gamble and risk of all surrounded by a very large EU taking umbrage with the decision to leave the country club. The EU is now a superpower in its own right and with two superpowers splitting up – a deal is absolutely imperative. Can the UK afford not to have a deal and wing it?
MAURICE FITZGERALD
Shanbally, Co Cork
God’s word will be help us understand His creation
John Rooney (December 28) and again (January 30) directs us away from God’s Word for enlightenment. First to the Charismatic movement on December 28, then on January 30 to science. John’s studies lead him to believe that the world came from a big bang – nothing was ever created by a destructive force, it is illogical. God created the world by the power of His Word, Jeremiah 10:12-13 “He hath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom and hath stretched out the heavens by His discretion. V13 When He uttereth His voice, there is a multitude of waters...” No less than God’s wisdom was involved in shaping the universe, not random chance. God was the only witness, and He says He created it.
John’s studies also lead him to the conclusion that Mary was conceived by an Immaculate Conception, and that our Original Sin is washed away by baptism. Again, none of this is found in the Word of God. We are to be like the Bereans “who being more noble... searched the scriptures daily whether these things were so...” Acts 17:11. Our Lord alone was born by Immaculate Conception, Matthew 1:18 “The birth of Jesus Christ was in this wise: when as His mother was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost”. As for baptism it is always preformed in the scriptures after someone has repented and trusted in the Lord for salvation, not the other way round, Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptised..”: 1 John 1:7 “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin ..”; It takes nothing less, than Our Lord’s shed blood to cleanse us, and nothing more. Faith in Him is what saves.
PAUL KINNEY
Cushendall, Co Antrim
Dwindling empire
The shambolic saga of Brexit continues as each day brings more confusing sound bites. The Tory government change its story on a daily basis.
As part of their exit deal with the EU, the backstop has become a major issue in securing a parliamentary majority. At long last the Irish people have the upper hand in standing firm in full support of the backstop.
Whatever the outcome of Brexit the union is now in terminal decline, the unification of Ireland is within our grasp, soon to be delivered by a border poll.
The Brexit disaster has awakened our Celtic cousins in Scotland to prepare for a second referendum for full independence.
The Gibraltarians have been put on notice their cosy arrangement with the dwindling empire by the Spanish using their veto at recent Brexit meetings in Brussels.
The ultra right-wingers in the Tory party misled the British public by telling them that all would be wonderful after a hard Brexit, as they could trade under WTO rules. However, not all of the countries already trading are happy about the British becoming trading partners. Argentina for one has expressed reservations, and see the opportunity to have the Falkland Islands returned to their rightful owners. The British claim to the islands will diminish after Brexit as they will no longer be protected by the Lisbon EU Treaty of 2009.
FRANK GLYNN
Cricklewood, London
Why vote for failure?
How could any one vote for the DUP or Sinn Féin when they have the responsibility but have not governed Northern Ireland for more than two years?
It appears that they have no intention of curing the diseases of Northern Ireland, such as the abnormally high number of injunctions and super injunctions or the abnormally high number of judicial reviews, or the abnormally high number of no decisions for running the region in a better way .
Simply bringing back the Stormont Assembly as it was will continue the stagnation of the past years. We need to stop Petitions of Concern, which are anti-democratic. The irony is that to move to this ‘normal’ democracy you have to ask the users of Petitions of Concern not to use that veto procedure at least for this occasion.
But why would DUP and SF vote to change their cosy relations, unless we, the ordinary folk say that we are fed up with this sectarian negativity and vote elsewhere. We need make DUP and SF act progressively and responsibly. We deserve better.
TOM EKIN
Belfast BT6
Fighting meningitis
I was sorry to read about two confirmed meningitis cases at a primary school in Co Tyrone. Everyone at Meningitis Now wishes the affected pupils a speedy recovery. Meningitis Now is fighting back on all fronts by funding pioneering preventative research, raising awareness and supporting those affected, with lifelong help and care. We distribute a range of awareness materials highlighting the common symptoms and need to act quickly, which can mean the difference between life and death. We have a community support officer who covers the area, ready to help anyone touched by the disease. For a free symptoms information pack including wallet-sized symptoms cards, or for support, please call our freephone helpline on 0808 80 10 388 or visit www.MeningitisNow.org.
Dr TOM NUTT
Meningitis Now
