We are not being told the true cost of EU membership

I HAVE been a lifelong Conservative, but no longer. Wholeheartedly, I agree with the present Government’s policy of cutting back expenditure in the public sector, which is over-funded, overpaid, over-staffed and under-performing.

However, I cannot understand why financial savings are not achieved by ceasing to provide overseas aid and making payments of approximately £50m per day to the European Union.

This sum excludes the very considerable expenditure incurred by public and private business in carrying out the directives and regulations streaming out of Europe.

Simple economics dictate that if a country has no money, how can it give money to so-called undeveloped countries, which include India and China.

All agree that this country’s trade with Europe is essential. However, Switzerland is not a member of the European Union and, therefore, does not pay but trades on the same basis with Europe as this country. Exit from Europe would make available more jobs in the private sector for those who suffer redundancy within the public sector.

Nearly all politicians today are professional politicians, without experience in business in the real world.

With the exception of UKIP, for some reason, all politicians attempt to hide the true cost and effect of membership of the European Union.

When will the electorate wake up and when will the Government give the people of this country a referendum on Europe instead of giving the electorate a referendum on our Parliamentary system, which is the envy of the free world?

From: Peter R Hyde, Kendale View, Driffield, East Yorkshire.

THE Government has a tough task ahead if it is to put right all that is wrong with the economy of this country.

There is no doubt that there will be more and more unrest as the necessary cuts start to bite. Why then are they cutting back so severely on the police service (Tom Richmond, Yorkshire Post, February 17)?

Surely the one service that is so essential to maintain law and order in difficult times is the police? I absolutely agree that there is a terrific amount of waste in the service but why do they not look at what they can do to reduce that waste instead of cutting staff?

As a former police officer of yesteryear, I know, from discussions I have had with serving officers, that there is far too much paperwork. There are also too many layers of decision-makers.

Cut the rubbish out, make the service more effective by all means, but never cut the bobby on the beat as one day you will need him or her.