Tory frontbench split kickstarts the EU referendum debate | Letters

The announcement by the prime minister that ministers will be able to campaign on both sides in the referendum on EU membership is quite remarkable (Report, 6 January). Whatever the outcome of the renegotiation, the government will not be making a unified case for remaining in the European Union. Not only does this move the UK closer to the exit door, but it witnesses the end of the concept of collective cabinet responsibility. It clearly smacks of hypocrisy for David Cameron to attack Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for having a divided shadow cabinet when it came to the debate on military intervention in Syria, while he is now happy to have those inside his own cabinet campaigning against the government line.

We also have the spectre of ministers calling for withdrawal from the EU attending and speaking at council of minister meetings, a scarcely credible position and one that will significantly weaken the UK position. Exit from the EU would pose a direct threat to jobs, investment and international influence. It is more important than ever that those who support the UK's continued EU membership stand up and make the case as strongly as possible.
Alex Orr
Edinburgh