Will breaking the Brexit withdrawal agreement damage Britain's reputation? A letter in the Western Daily Press.

 Letter in the Western Daily Press 22 September 2020.

Treaties only last while they last.

It is all very well for Geoffrey Cox MP, the former Attorney General, to say breaking agreements and treaties does “unconscionable” damage to Britain’s reputation, but there are circumstances when standing by them can be disastrous.

In 1914 those in government didn’t want conflict with Germany, but because they did not wish to break the treaty which guaranteed Belgian neutrality ministers reluctantly decided war had to be declared when German troops marched into Belgium.  They felt it was a matter of upholding Britain’s honour and reputation to do so.

Devastatingly, to put it mildly, World War One cost Britain and The Empire millions of dead and wounded to defeat Germany and her allies.  That victory lead to an unjust peace, the rise of Nazi Germany, and another world war.

With the benefit of hindsight one might think fighting for Belgian neutrality and maintaining Britain’s reputation came at too high a cost.  

Perhaps, in present circumstances, Mr Cox might consider the words of President de Gaulle: “Treaties, you see, are like girls and roses: they last while they last.”

S.W. 

Ilminster, Somerset.