I READ with amazement the statement by our MP, Will Quince, that he voted for Brexit because his priority is economic stability and “making this decision work for businesses in Colchester”.

Was he not aware that almost every leading economic body in the country, including the Confederation of British Industry, the Institute of Directors and the Institute of Fiscal Studies, as well as the Governor of the Bank of England, warned of dire economic consequences if we left the EU?

The pound has already fallen in value, the economy is shrinking and there is a distinct possibility of a new recession.

The Chancellor has already abandoned his target of balancing the books by 2020.

Did Mr Quince not realise that 44per cent of our trade is with the European Union?

Who does he think is going to invest in our country now?

Who is going to give us money to regenerate impoverished regions?

Who is going to pay massive subsidies to our farmers?

We will now have to become embroiled in long and complicated negotiations, taking up large amounts of civil service time, in order to gain access to the European trade area, probably paying more than before, but not having a say in the decision-making process.

One of the most regrettable aspects of this result is the sharp increase in hate crimes.

The decision to leave was an act of incredible vandalism, which will harm the future of our children and will undoubtedly lead to the break-up of the United Kingdom in the event of a second Scottish referendum.

At a time of global crisis, it would have been infinitely better to work together with others, not to break away for selfish reasons.

Eddie Ross Hamilton Road Colchester

AS a son of a (now retired) teacher I must take issue with Mr Taylor’s letter suggesting the teachers’ strike has little support, especially as it was timed for July to ensure minimal disruption to GCSEs and the like.

However, it is highly likely to be the last one.

The Trade Union Act 2016 passed in May (but hasn’t yet come into force) needs a turnout of at least 50per cent, and has a specific clause to make strikes by teachers of those aged under 17 even more difficult.

They now have to have at least 40per cent of those entitled to vote voting in favour, not just a simple majority.

If you think this is a good thing, the recent EU referendum had just under 37.5per cent vote in favour of leaving.

If this had the same threshold, think how many would now be saying it is wrong. I believe the actual voting in the NUT ballot was 91.7per cent in favour but only a 24.5per cent turnout, so this wouldn’t be sufficient in future.

Nor do teachers take all of the school summer holidays as holiday.

I have many memories of helping my mother collect new books to re-populate class reading boxes, putting plastic covers on them, and amusing myself while she worked on lesson plans required by changes to the curriculum or exam syllabuses.

I’m not saying they don’t take some holiday though - like pupils they aren’t able to take any in term time.

Ed Loach Gorse Lane Clacton

I WAS pleasantly surprised to notice during a recent visit to St Mary’s Church in Maldon, Ben Cobey’s name has finally been added to their Great War Roll of Honour.

I started campaigning for local and national recognition for Ben back in 2009.

Ben was born just over the road from the church at 39 Church Street and lived there with his un-married mother, Maria.

With the outbreak of war, he joined the 37th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery and went into action at Mons on August 26, 1914. When the British lines were overrun, Ben along with Drivers Luke and Drain and Captain Reynolds volunteered to “save the guns”.

They did just that, but Ben paid for that act of bravery with his life. He was just 19years old and it took nine months to notify his mother that he had died.

His colleagues were all awarded VCs, but our current Government, despite support from Buckingham Palace and our own MP, refuses point blank to grant a posthumous one to Ben.

And so Ben got nothing and, in a final act of injustice, his name was missed off of the St Mary’s roll by the then vicar and from the main town war memorial, allegedly because he was born out of wedlock.

In 2011 his name was included on one of the two additional plaques on the memorial outside of All Saints Church and his descendants were present for that very special dedication.

It would appear he is now also on the St Mary’s plaque.

However, I don’t know when that happened, or if there was any kind of ceremony in his honour.

He certainly should have had one for what he did for us and for our freedom and I am glad he is now receiving the long overdue recognition that he deserves.

Stephen P Nunn Fambridge Road, Maldon