DEAR Santa, I'm not at all sure this letter will get to you this year, what with all the strikes. Between them, the unions have managed to put the kibosh on the Christmas post, trains and planes.

It's a bit rich, really, that at this time of year of all times, Virgin pilots would see fit to ruin so many people's Christmases. Did the Virgin Mary start working to rule over the festive period because she couldn't get union recognition? She did not. She just got on her ass and headed to Bethlehem without complaint.

Yet here we are, being held to ransom by striking pilots, train drivers and posties, just when we need them to be at the top of their game. Although, to be fair, it's only the Southern Rail train drivers who are leaving the passengers stranded on the platforms. Northern train drivers like to do things differently - they leave the guards stranded on the platforms instead.

Anyway, I trust you won't decide to take a leaf out off the unions' book this Christmas. Assuming that you're not part of any union hell-bent on smashing Theresa May and her Tories, I do hope it will be business as usual this Christmas for you and your elves. The thing is, I don't know if you heard, but we here in Britain voted for Brexit earlier this year; and for all anyone knows, that ghastly Jean-Claude Juncker and his EU cronies might have banned you from delivering presents to our children this year. I certainly wouldn't put it past him. Talk about a sore loser. And have you seen the way those EU leaders have been treating poor Mrs May and her leather trousers recently, ignoring her at summits and such like? How rude!

The question of whether Santa will be able to visit post-Brexit Britain is not the only thing we Brits have been worrying about since the referendum. I've heard people ask if we can still play the Euromillions; if England will still be able to take part in the Euro footie competition; and if we'll still be eligible for the Eurovision Song Contest. And they say our education standards are slipping... I do hope that the principle of freedom of movement still applies to you post-Brexit and you'll be visiting our little darlings this Christmas, even if we are about to trigger Article 50.

You won't find things much changed if you do call in, despite the apocalyptic doom-mongering that's been going on since June. OK, there's been a Marmite shortage, and the price of Lego has gone through the roof (all the fault of us evil Brexit voters, natch) but sherry's still readily available, the mince pies are plentiful and we can still spare a few carrots for Rudolph - providing he's got his EU pet passport with him, of course; otherwise it'll have to be six months in quarantine followed by a one-way trip to the Pedigree Chum factory.

I'll leave it up to you to decide on a suitable gift to leave me. I've been a good girl this year, so feel free to splash out. Gold, platinum, diamonds, I'm not choosy. Socks will be fine for my husband, as per. You'll find the sherry etc. in the hall as usual - and remember, Santa, drink responsibly. So, a very merry Christmas to you (but not EU).

Love from Louise