• STEPHEN Southam illustrates the impossibility of arguing with leavers, (The calibre of MPs was different in 1975, August 30).

In my letter (Brexit: some will reject the majority view, August 23) I explained to the best of my ability why there is only one candidate at a time for the post of president of the European Commission.

It is to ensure that the president is acceptable both to the European Council – the heads of government of the member states – which puts forward the candidate and to the European Parliament elected by the citizens of the member states which may either accept or reject the council’s candidate.

If the candidate is rejected the council must put forward another and continue to do so until a candidate receives the votes of a majority of MEPs. With the possible exception of the Holy Father when pronouncing ex cathedra on a matter of faith or morals no one is infallible so my explanation may be wrong.

Mr Southam, however, does not challenge or even mention my explanation but simply repeats JE Kirby’s misleading claim (Should we pander to those who just don’t like a poll result? August 16) that, as there is only one candidate at a time, the procedure is undemocratic.

This is the leaver method: make an untrue claim, ignore any challenges to it and repeat the original untruth over and over again.

STEPHEN HORNE
Romilly Road, N4