MADAM,

The letters of solidarity with David (TC) Davies MP in the Beacon, 2nd November, will surely be welcomed by him. Because of his demands for teeth checks on children some people have given him the nickname of ‘Tooth Checker’ Davies. I thought it used to be ‘Top Cat.’

The ‘hubble, bubble, toil and trouble’ is the lot of MPs, but on the upside for David is a full page in the respectable Guardian, and as the old film star Humphrey Bogart used to say ‘no publicity is bad publicity’.

He was entitled to his views on Brexit but, unfortunately for him, his constituency differed. Brexit has caused many arguments. It was important that the public expected our MP to be accountable and transparent in leadership, with engagement, consultation, and discussion, I don’t remember that happening. The High Court decision this month will now mean our parliament will give him a chance, as parliament now has to approve Brexit. We could have expected more from leadership on all fronts as it is astonishing that many people didn’t know the history of the European Economic Community.

Started in 1958 and now referred to as the Common Market, the six original countries were Germany, France, Italy and the Benelux countries and free trade was agreed. Goods made in one country could be move duty free to others. An outside tariff was applied to all members. Imports from outside the EEC paid duty in the country of arrival and could circulate freely to other member states. By 1968 this was the situation. Over time other issues were resolved and became standard practice. The Single Market came in the 1980s. Evidence of success and no wars for the past 70 years.

S G Gilbert

(Monmouth)