MPs didn’t think of the consequences when they held the Brexit vote

James Forsyth’s comment (Politics, 15 December) that most of the blame for the Brexit mess lies with Parliament for holding a referendum ‘without thinking through the consequences’ is an understatement. Only 53 MPs voted against the proposal and the decision of Conservative and Labour MPs to vote en masse in favour of it appears to have had nothing whatever to do with the long-term national interest.

In the related Commons debate, little was said about what might happen in the inconceivable event of a vote to leave. If anything positive comes of such eye-watering incompetence, perhaps it will be constitutional reform. In the meantime, Leavers and Remainers alike have every right to feel betrayed.

Roger Burgess
Lodsworth, West Sussex

This letter appeared in this week’s magazine, available here.