Sir, – As a lifelong friend (now resident in West Australia) used to say 'money isn't everything, it's just the next best thing'. I've no idea who first came out with that politically incorrect bit of wisdom, but large amounts of money can change history.

The state of Alaska was bought from Russia by the US, as were many of the central states in the present US from Napoleon.

Whilst I respect and am interested in Richard Wright's weekly column, I think he could broaden his view if he considered some of the more extreme bargaining ploys that might be fielded.

This embattled Tory government saw fit to promise large amounts of money for Northern Ireland to get the support of the DUP. The question of the border with Eire remains a major problem as the friction that might generate could be all the excuse the psychopaths in both communities would need to resume the violence that nobody else wants.

The press are casting a divorce style money settlement for Brexit in terms of tens of billions of euros. Unlikely though it is to happen, the very idea of an offer of most of that money (or a comparable amount) going to Eire to join us in leaving the EU, would do what Britain was notorious for doing in the past (called 'divide and rule' and earned our establishments the nick-name 'perfidious Albion').

It is not quite as daft as it at first sight appear because much of the Irish trade is with Britain and the border question is the only one with tangible physical consequences. Furthermore, many might prefer Ireland to prosper with the money, rather than much of it going into tax havens like Luxemburg, which does very nicely thank you out of the EU.

It may no longer be the case, but Eire was not always enthusiastic in its EU membership and required a rerun of one of the referenda for the europhiles to get their way. A good and genuine UK Irish deal might well find favour there, if our establishment could be persuaded that they no longer have a 'divine right to rule'.

The UK appears to be heading towards a more federal model, whether we like it or not, and Eire might find that more comfortable to deal with, rather than an EU becoming more detached from reality, if their stance on glyphosate is any guide.

Sandy Henderson

Faulds Farm,

Braco.