In reply to Ms Mary Pearson’s letter of July 28, I believe that the decision which this country took to leave the European Union to be one of the most damaging peace-time events since at least the 2008 financial crisis from which we have still to recover. What is worse is that the the latest damage is selfinflicted!

As a democrat, I have Hobson’s choice in giving the results of the decision a chance.

Sterling has fallen by 10% - good for exporters, but not so good for importers or holiday-makers.

No-one knows the deal we may eventually be able to make with the EU or WTO and other bodies.

One of the UK’s greatest revenue earners is the City of London with its range of financial services, but this is under threat and has already recorded considerable loss of new business.

High street banks have begun to shed staff, because of a decline in business confidence.

I am pleased to say that my European Union passport still has seven years to run, after that I could consider emigrating to the Irish Republic or maybe a Scottish Republic.

Never mind, using Ms Pearson’s calculations, by the time my children reach retirement age, everything in the garden will be lovely again! For now, I hand-in-hand with thousands of others through on-line campaigns such as Better In Than Out will be closely monitoring the activities of those quixotic Brexiteers who recently promised us so much.

Alan Bartram Oldswinford