Delusional nostalgic twaddle from virulent anti-Europeans

THIS europhobic hatred of Germany (George Senior, Yorkshire Post, September 30) is of course delusional nostalgic twaddle and reminds me of the putative campaign of a few years ago in favour of British membership of the euro.

I have long accepted that Britain isn’t going to join the euro and with hindsight it is clear that it would have been to our benefit to do so had we joined wholeheartedly in the discussions that led to its establishment, which, of course, we didn’t.

Too many people in this country believe their own propaganda. French news which I watch regularly recently ran its own survey which stated that 77 per cent of French people “remain happy that the euro is our currency”.

The euro has been a success for many countries but admittedly not for peripheral ones like Greece – of course had Britain been in at the start Greek membership just like the recent bailout for Greece could and should have been vetoed. The IMF is the body for bailouts – no bailouts are in the EU treaties.

I found during our pro-euro campaign it was difficult to discuss how to face the reality of being a medium-sized power with the virulent anti-Europeans whose case depended exclusively on how Queen Victoria would feel about the loss of the Empire, whether the so-called special relationship would be damaged – yet the present US president can’t bring himself to use the term – and worst of all how terrible it would be to share a currency with Germany.

The anti-Europeans are in a gloating mood at present and pressing their case for the ultimate aim of British withdrawal from the EU. Such a move would likely destroy the UK and leave the good ship Britannia sailing around the world in search of a friendly port.

From: Prof J A Double, Carlinghow Hill, Upper Batley.

I READ with interest the article by Janice Atkinson-Small (Yorkshire Post, October 4) and while she may make some valid points about her defection from the Tories to Ukip, I think it is she that has lost the plot.

She was clearly out of touch with reality when she thought that strawberries and Pimms (that would have to be paid for) might induce constituents of Batley and Spen to vote for her in the last General Election.

The arguments she puts forward show that little has changed. While I am sure that many voters of all persuasions would agree with the changes she would like to see, the fact that there are so many “safe seats” means that in reality when it comes to the ballot box the electors’ placement of the cross is more likely to be influenced by their background and traditions and not by political arguments in manifestos.

It is therefore highly unlikely that any of the smaller political parties will ever have a chance of government and if she has political ambitions perhaps she has made the wrong decision.

From: KE Nichols, Drury Close, Pannal, Harrogate.

THE time has come when our present crop of elected representatives and their unelected administrators should take urgent attention to restrain European public spending.

According to accounts published in Brussels and despite the implementation of tough measures at home, Britain’s contribution to the EU last year rose 56 per cent to £10.5bn, or £672 for the average household.

This increase is not matched by increases in farm subsidies or social funds. Why not?

The UK is not in a financial position to continue to throw money down the EU black holes. It must stop – now!

From: Bob Heys, Bar Lane, Ripponden, Halifax.

THERE has recently been much, often valid, criticism of the European Union for its failure to deliver the benefits claimed for it.

It should however be remembered that the primary justification for its formation after the Second World War was that it would bring an end to the rapid succession of devastating wars between European States which had for centuries preceded it.

In this regard, it has so far been indisputably successful.