Letters: What would be the point of a second referendum?

Another referendum?

Sir: Matthew Parris’s article ‘What question should a second referendum ask?’ (26 October) occasioned a wry smile from me this morning. His first question — whether Britain should remain in or leave the European Union — has already been asked and answered, at great expense and trouble, in 2016. The only logical reason why it should be re-asked is if the first time it was asked was illegitimate in some way. But it was only after the result was known that questions were raised about its legitimacy. At the time, not a breath was raised. However, I do like Mr Parris’s second question. We shouldn’t have a second referendum, but if we do let’s make the choice ‘deal or no deal’. That would be a legitimate question.
Peter Hall

London NW1

What would be the point?

Sir: Matthew Parris’s proposed democratic-sounding solution for questions included on a second referendum ballot paper will do nothing to alter the present impasse (26 October). As witnessed by their actions, the establishment and a majority of MPs have shown that they have disregarded the Leave result and are trying everything in their power to keep the status quo. If a second vote, however detailed, is also for Leave, would their actions be any different?
Neil Carver

Wallasey, Wirral

New archaisms

Sir: Charles Moore’s sales assistant didn’t know what a blotter was (The Spectator’s Notes, 26 October). In the men’s clothing department of John Lewis in Southampton, I told the young salesman I was looking for a pair of grey flannels. I was directed to ‘bathroom towels’ on the floor below.
Bruce Parker

Appleshaw, Hants

Militant virtue

Sir: Douglas Murray’s article (‘Don’t be such a chicken about Chick’fil-A’, 26 October) highlights the irony that the American culture wars haven’t come to this country through religious and social conservatives, as some feared, but through social and cultural liberals.