Brexit: the road to Norway is a dead end

If, as Simon Jenkins writes, “all roads lead to Norway” (Opinion, 7 December), we’d better inform ourselves about the nature of the destination and the European Economic Area (EEA) and European Free Trade Association (Efta) that Norway belongs to.

Would we control inward migration from the EU? No, because Norway is part of the EU single market.

Are we released from the yoke of overseas judiciaries? No, because EEA/Efta countries are subject to the Efta Surveillance Authority and the Efta court.

Does the Norway model help with the Northern Ireland border? No, because Norway is not in the EU’s customs union.

Do we take back control? No, because Norway does not have the right to vote in Europe despite its financial contributions to the EU being on a par with comparable member states.

So when Amber Rudd talks of a possible “Norway-plus deal” (Report, theguardian.com, 8 December), only full membership of the EU can achieve that.

The road to Norway is a cul-de-sac. A clear path through the jungle of delusion, misinformation and deceit can now only be beaten by a new government with a cabinet that is not hopelessly divided against itself.
Paul Tattam
Chinley, Derbyshire

• Simon Jenkins makes an interesting analogy between May’s troubles and the fall of the Chamberlain government. There are though important differences. Even after the Norway debate, Chamberlain still had a majority of 80 seats, which May would kill for, while Labour under Attlee had a much more coherent and decisive leadership.
Dr Peter Neville
Chesterton, Cambridge

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