The facts

First, I did not claim to support Remain, a second referendum or a delay to Brexit.

Nor did I question the intelligence of any voter or ask Mr Micklewright to automatically agree with Remainers.

In fact I would prefer that Brexit is resolved as quickly as possible - I just have an alternative opinion on the process.

Suggesting Leavers would continue to argue their case had the referendum gone the other way is not ‘speculation or invention’ - even Nigel Farage said he would continue to fight for Brexit in those circumstances.

And yes I do understand the difference between leaving the EU and consequential and desirable outcomes.

I simply believe you cannot just walk away from the EU.

Legislation has to be very specific in its wording to avoid legal chaos and there are significant elements of UK law that make specific reference to EU regulations and our membership of the EU.

Leaving the EU means that some legislation would no longer have a legal foundation as the EU references would make it invalid.

This would create a legal vacuum in areas such as employment and health.

UK laws therefore need to be amended before we leave the EU.

We will no longer be part of the single market so need to introduce controls along the Irish and Gibraltarian borders.

Unlike other ports of entry, this requires agreement with Ireland and Spain not least because many people along those borders live in one country and work in another.

Having worked in immigration I can assure you this is not a simple thing to manage and leaving the EU without that agreement in place would lead to chaos.

Brexit, be is soft or hard, is a complex process and more than just a trade deal with the EU.

This is not the view of a ‘remoaner’ but is shared by many prominent leavers including David Davies and Boris Johnson - are they also arrogant and illogically stupid?

Peter McNabb Hartford