The Reader: Maintaining security in the UK and the EU

Contrary to Yvette Cooper’s assertions [“The best way to ‘take back control’ is by extending Article 50”, December 3], the security aspects of the future relationship with the European Union are among the areas where there is already strong concurrence.

The UK is a major provider of counter-terrorist intelligence on a bilateral and multilateral basis as well as being a beneficiary of close international co-operation.

We have shown our willingness to continue our very significant contribution and it is now up to the EU to ensure seamless adoption of new arrangements.
Geoffrey Van Orden MEP
Vice Chairman, Special Committee on Terrorism
European Parliament

EDITOR'S REPLY

Dear Geoffrey

You are right about the security co-operation, but only in the narrow sense that the proposed withdrawal agreement allows us to share things such as the names of air passengers. It is an example of where a huge amount of energy has been consumed on replicating what we already have — although even this co-operation would be lost (at least temporarily) in a no-deal scenario. In a bigger sense, though, Brexit risks undermining our national security. That is evident in the failure to reach an agreement on our participation in vital projects such as the Galileo satellite system — costing us many billions as we try to build our own version instead. More generally, you will know that Brexit is seen near-universally around the world as a weakening of the western alliances upon which our safety ultimately depends.

George Osborne, Editor-in-chief

Embankment now slowed to a crawl

THE Mayor says the “evidence is clear” that new cycling infrastructure is not a factor in rising congestion.

This is simply not the case. TfL’s own data shows that journey times on the Embankment have significantly increased since the removal of a traffic lane to make way for the cycle superhighway. Eastbound, the route between Westminster Bridge and Tower Hill now has the capacity of a country road.

London needs a serious debate about how we balance the needs of different road users.
Tony Halmos
Unblock the Embankment

Windrush: Home Office has failed

THERE has been a significant lack of empathy demonstrated by the Home Office throughout the Windrush scandal as it has obsessed over policies and documents and failed to recognise the livelihoods and needs of an entire generation.

As a student studying the Windrush generation, I have learnt of the tireless efforts they made to rebuild our country and save our public services, including the NHS. A resignation from Permanent Secretary Philip Rutnam would show that the Government’s apology is sincere.
Sam Rogers

Bus drivers' 'Turdises' are an eyesore

AFTER reading about the “Turdis” for bus drivers at the end of the R2 bus route [“Don’t park your ‘turdis’ at the end of our road,” December 6], I noticed one has also been installed in Petts Wood in the middle of a commercial area that has very restrictive planning regulations due to the area’s architecture. It is completely out of character.

I can’t believe this has been allowed. There must be a better solution to the “turdis” eyesore?
Paul Elliott