One of my daughters lives in the USA. I spent Christmas Day with her. Instead of sending us cards, she announced that she had spent her Christmas card money trying to prevent Donald Trump being appointed president by persuading members of the 'electoral college' to change their vote.

I was annoyed. Not only did I look forward to her usually innovative cards, but I felt this was an exercise in futility. While I wish it were not so, Trump won by the rules. So let's accept it, and work within the system to get the policies we want. I suggested she write to her congressman, join a political party, write to newspapers, even stand for office. But don't try to overturn a result just because you did not like it.

Sound familiar?

I did not vote for Brexit. I wish the vote had gone the other way, but fair's fair. We're coming out of the EU. I accept that result.

I am not annoyed at those who voted 'out'. Not at all. If anything I am annoyed at the Europeans who took a great idea – free trade – and tried to expand it into a currency and possibly even political union, thereby alienating many voters. Europeans made a lot of mistakes: in the admission of certain countries to the euro; in implicitly encouraging migrants to make hazardous journeys; in having two parliament buildings; in the management of foreign aid... and the list goes on.

I felt that the benefits of Europe outweighed the mistakes. But I was not in the majority.

However that does not mean I cannot try to influence how we come out.

I am just not sure how best to do so. It is not clear to me how we are going to decide the process for choosing between the options that may be in front of us. I certainly hope it is not going to be decided by a cabal of Brexiteers.

Here's a thought though. Forty-eight per cent voted to stay, so presumably that 48 per cent would like a close relationship post Brexit. It would only take a few of the 52 per cent to agree, and we would have a majority. Maybe we should ask the Europeans to offer us a 'soft Brexit' option, and lobby our MPs to accept it.

I am off to write to my MP. Although, I think he is already convinced!

Giles Archibald

Leader of South Lakeland District Council