SIR – To establish the real rationale and also dangers behind the House of Lords’ proposed amendment to the Brexit Bill, you have to read between the lines.

First, the principle involved is to thwart Brexit, ie the express will of the British people in favour of either remaining in the EU or some halfway terms whereby we will be no better off yet still paying billions of pounds in.

Second, the dangers of giving millions of existing and possibly future immigrants who may rush in before we leave the EU once the departure process begins full citizenship rights are frightening.

The long term cost of such unlimited entitlements to public services of welfare, health, education and state pensions etc are unquantifiable and could be a serious strain on this country’s finances if there was another economic downturn or financial crash as in 2008.

Germany after the Second World War needed workers for post-war reconstruction; many came but only on ‘Gastarbeiter’ status, ie guest or temporary.

The vested interests of the few represented by the House of Lords should never be allowed to take precedence over those of the many, ie us the British people.

DS Boyes, Upper Rodley Lane, Leeds

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