LETTER: Terrifying glimpse

Deserting the Single Market and Customs Union is nothing short of reckless. These changes will damage both Lewes and the entire country.

British businesses, small and large, will lose membership of a market of 500m customers and in the race for alternative markets we could well be forced to forfeit the environmental and social protections that come with the Single Market.

Further the threat to set up as an off-shore tax haven if we don’t get our own way in the negotiations will leave us with even less tax income to provide the boost to the NHS and social care that we so desperately need.

It is not clear to me whether our economy – or our society – can withstand this level of turmoil. We have no idea what the outcome of the negotiations will be.

The Prime Minister appears to be ignoring the long list of risks and chasing a hard Brexit, all because she is desperate to end free movement – rather than look at ways to make sure the benefits it brings are shared more equally.

This is a monumental gamble to take with our country’s future. No matter how we voted in the EU referendum, all of us have a responsibility to stop Theresa May throwing the UK off the Brexit cliff edge without a proper plan to deal with the consequences.

Councillor Susan Murray, Green Party

Clare Road, Lewes