YP Letters: The case for remaining in the EU

IT is no use those in favour of leaving Europe saying that Margaret Thatcher or Winston Churchill would vote for exit because we don’t know.

We have to deal with those that are living now.

Jeremy Corbyn made a very good speech on why he wants the UK to stay in Britain because its the best framework for trade, manufacturing and co-operation in the 21st century.

He also made a special appeal for young people to get involved because the decision on June 23 will effect their future.

More and more people, particularly those in work, are in favour of staying in to protect workers rights, equal pay for work of equal value, part-time workers’ laws and guaranteed holiday pay.

I have never been a purist. The EU is not perfect by any means, most organisations are not, but it doesn’t prevent us from participating in argument and discussion. That’s why I will be voting to remain in the EU.

From: John Cole, Oakroyd Terrace, Baildon, Shipley.

PRESIDENT John F Kennedy famously stated in his Inauguration Speech: “Ask not what your country can do for you but rather ask what you can do for your country.”

In recent years in Europe we have seen the dangerous growth of nationalisms. An insidious right wing patriotism is on the move. Think Europe, 1930s. The EU, with its commitment to “an ever closer union of the peoples of Europe” (note, “peoples” not “governments”) is a bulwark against these narrow nationalisms. So for me, a strong argument for “In” is the holding in check of destructive, self-seeking tendencies.

It would be a tragedy for Europe and civilised society if the UK departing the EU were to lead to fragmentation of the whole community project and the unpicking of 70 years of progress.

There is a role here for the UK – an altruistic one – of remaining within the EU and working both to reform it and hold it together. I see us as a vital counter-weight to other players who might otherwise dominate.

From: Chris Broome, Sheffield Climate Alliance, Hackthorn Road, Sheffield.

TONY Lodge is wrong to blame the expansion of renewables for the low level of spare capacity on our electricity grid (“Pulling plug on Brussels will do a power of good, The Yorkshire Post, April 19).

The key reason for the UKs tight energy supply is the lack of government foresight and leadership in ensuring adequate investment in new low carbon energy supplies. But thanks to the EU, renewables now supply around a quarter of UK electricity, with prices for many of the technologies coming down.

In the meantime, EU energy policy neither forces old power stations to close nor prevents new ones being constructed. It does require that they generate electricity cleanly and competitively, once the wider costs of their pollution and carbon emissions are factored in.

With around 30 000 premature deaths annually associated with poor air quality and climate change an even more serious issue in the longer term, this is thoroughly justified.

While much of the relevant policy does come from the EU, the UK will still be committed to maintaining environmental policies, even if Britain leaves.

Although major gas and nuclear power projects may go ahead shortly, the continued development of renewables, energy storage and energy saving should be the main tools in ensuring a secure, modernised electricity supply. That task is squarely the UK Government’s responsibility.

From: Dave Asher, Pickard Crescent, Sheffield.

WHEN David Cameron flounced around EU capitals pretending to “gain concessions”, some of us knew from the very outset that it was a truly wicked scam. It is not even a slight exaggeration to state that if you want our nation dismantled, and to live in a country called Europe, you must vote ‘In’. If not, vote Brexit.

From: Jack Brown, Lamb Lane, Monk Bretton, Barnsley.

IT is apparent that many readers of The Yorkshire Post are supporters of the Labour Party and of the “leave” campaign in the referendum. They are the people whom Jeremy Corbyn recently advised to vote “remain”.

They are now faced with conflicting loyalties. Will they see the New Labour light like Corbyn or will they stick to their Old Labour principles?

From: M Dobson, Feversham Crescent, York.

I CAN understand fellow member states of the EU voicing an opinion on the forthcoming EU referendum as the decision, whichever way it goes, will affect them. What is disgraceful is the intervention by President Obama, encouraged without doubt by David Cameron, in the internal politics of a sovereign nation.

Not only is he telling us which way we ought to vote but offering veiled threats of consequences if we vote for Brexit.

This from a man who in less than a year’s time will be yesterday’s man with no power whatsoever.

The interesting part of his speeches were the number of times he said that it was in America’s interests for Britain to remain in the EU.

Not what was best for Britain but what was best for America.

I wonder what the reaction would be in America if, shortly before the Presidential elections, David Cameron went to Washington and stated who he thought ought to be the new President.

No doubt he would get short shrift which is what we should have done to Obama.