Sir, – Fintan O'Toole writes that the "very reason" the UK refused to stay in the single market after Brexit was that it would mean accepting rules it had no part in making ("Fantasy that Britain can pick new neighbours is meeting realities of trade", Opinion & Analysis, October 2nd).
The Norway option – staying in the single market but leaving the customs union with the UK free to pursue an independent trade policy – was considered by both the May and Johnson governments.
The stumbling block was the EU’s insistence that freedom of movement was one of the sacrosanct four freedoms of the single market, and could not be limited.
Now that he is a candidate for the French presidency, Michel Barnier, the EU Brexit negotiator, wants to stop all non-EU immigration to France, including family reunions, for up to five years.
Has Mr Barnier, like Mrs May and Mr Johnson, been listening to the voters? – Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN DOHERTY,
Gaoth Dobhair,
Co Dhún na nGall.