Why Britain has nothing to fear from EU withdrawal

DON Burslam (Yorkshire Post, March 18) asks EU critics to give their vision of our future, outside the EU.

We are one of the top 10 economies of the world and our population trends will ensure that we remain so over the next few decades. As such, our economic survival is not in question, whether in or out of the EU.

Demographic trends predict that we will grow to be the equal of Germany, which, along with most of Europe, will stagnate. Russia and Japan will contract, significantly, while the Far East and Brazil will continue to grow. These emerging markets are where the future lies and there is good potential for our pharmaceuticals, specialist engineering and financial services industries.

Mr Burslam refers to the additional customs duties we would have to pay if we were no longer in the EU and says the multinationals would no longer invest here. These are non-arguments, for the simple reason that we buy more from the EU than they do from us. EU self-interest would, therefore, oblige them to negotiate a mutually acceptable trade agreement with us, as they do with many other countries.

The costs of transition would be financed from the “freedom dividend”, ie no longer having to pay our annual subscription to the EU and savings from being able to make a bonfire of many EU regulations, which would give a welcome boost to industry. Let us not forget that even the European Commission accepts that the costs of complying with the Single Market regulations outweigh the benefits, by a considerable margin.

In military and diplomatic terms, we already have a place at the top table of all forums and that would continue, even after our military cuts.

In short, there is nothing for us to fear from EU withdrawal, if it becomes necessary.

From: Colin Wallwork, Selby, North Yorkshire.

In response to the article “Britain faces £3bn bill for bail-out of ailing Portugese economy” (Yorkshire Post, March 24), I feel compelled to respond.

It makes me angry that we are likely to be asked to use this country’s money to support the ailing euro once again as a result of the Lisbon government’s failure to sort its own problems out.

This is the latest indicated request, but I’m sure it won’t be the last. I feel it is time for a referendum with a simple single question: “Do you want the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union?”

I personally would vote no. I would still feel “European”. This is a matter of geographical fact. I live in Europe.

As a British citizen and businessman, I am suffering like most in this country. I am working harder for less money. The pension I pay into is worth a pittance.

As an individual, I am doing my fair share to get the country on a more even keel. Would we lose billions of pounds of trade with the remaining EU countries if we pulled out? I don’t think so.

If you have a product built to a good standard, and at the right price, it does not matter where your business is located or if it is in the EU or not. You will still have a market.

From: Coun James Alexander, Leader of City of York Council’s Labour Opposition Group.

In opposition, the Conservatives opposed Labour’s fiscal stimulus and the nationalisation of Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley to secure the savings of depositors and stop a run on further banks.

In government, the Conservatives lent £7bn to Ireland to bail out their banks. At the time, George Osborne was keen to stress the UK would not be part of any upcoming eurozone bailout. Now he is set to lend Portugal £3bn for their bailout.

Would any Conservatives care to explain why bailing out British banks to secure the savings of UK depositors under Labour was wrong, but lending £7bn to Ireland and £3bn to Portugal to bail out their banks under the Conservatives is right?

From: David H Rhodes, Keble Park North, Bishopthorpe, York.

SO the UK is being summoned to help bail out the Portuguese to the tune of between £3bn and £6bn. If the other EU member states pay similar amounts then Portugal will benefit by £80bn to £160bn.

Somehow I doubt it as the UK’s contribution is likely to be related to the annual offering we make to the EU’s coffers, and subsequently others will pay a darned sight less. Is Spain the next to receive this largesse as the euro falters yet again? Maybe now is the time to exert a little pressure on the EU and the way it is run by largely unaccountable figureheads.

Our request – the EU accounts are sorted out and then ratified as being correct; the CAP is devolved and a fairer distribution calibrated; the stupid movement of the Parliament from Brussels to Strasbourg (to humour the French) be stopped immediately; other profligate areas of waste eliminated, such as the gross bureaucratic overmanning. If there is no co-operation, then maybe the UK will revert to its Common Market position.

Why do I think the demands will work? Well, if the UK falls out, an even bigger burden will fall on Germany to fund the system.