WATCHING the Andrew Marr show on BBC the phrase “good faith” was frequently mentioned when referring to the ongoing Brexit negotiations between the EU and the UK, but, of course, this only makes sense if both parties adopt the same approach.

It has been obvious since the referendum that the EU was determined from the outset to punish the UK for having the temerity to withdraw from the EU.

This is the same reasoning used during the First World War when all alleged deserters irrespective of mitigation were executed “pour encourager les autres,” should any other state be tempted to follow the same path as the UK.

When one hears the disparaging remarks about the UK attributed to various EU ministers and negotiators they would do well to remember that without the bravery and resilience of the forces of the UK and Commonwealth during the Second World War there would be no unified Europe to argue about.

During any sort of negotiation there must be mutual respect and this has been singularly lacking on the part of the EU.

In the last referendum against my better judgement I voted to remain but should there be a second vote I will certainly vote to leave.

Our present government may be the most incompetent I can remember but, at least we voted for them. The EU is governed by bankers and bureaucrats.

V J Connor, Bishop Auckland.