YP Letters: X marks the spot for divisions and arguments over the EU

I RECEIVED the Electoral Commission’s Guide on how to vote in the EU referendum: put an X in the box if you want to remain in the EU or an X in the other to leave. Talk about teaching us how to suck eggs!

However it is important that voters realise how we benefit from being in Europe. The European Investment Bank is providing £56m to build seven new school buildings in Harrogate, Keighley, Bradford and Leeds. Under the bank’s priority school building programme, over 8,500 secondary school students will benefit from new school buildings and facilities. Investment in education across the region has included construction at Bradford College, Leeds City College and the universities of Hull and York. Schools in Barnsley and Sheffield also benefit. This is something we should all consider carefully.

From: JG Riseley, Harcourt Drive, Harrogate.

JOHN Murray (The Yorkshire Post, May 18) recounts an impressive history of camaraderie with our fellow Europeans. Much of this appears to have taken place before Britain joined the EEC (in 1973) or the EU was formed (in 1993). His experience confirms that the EU did not create the peoples, culture, history or landscapes of Europe, nor did it inaugurate British access to these. Brexit is not about isolationism or xenophobia. The issues that we have are with the EU, not with Europe or the Europeans.

From: Nick Martinek, Briarlyn Road, Huddersfield.

FOR Mr Murray’s benefit, the issue here is one of trust. If we were to stay in, would the UK really get Mr Cameron’s derogation from “ever closer union”, and would we really be safe from the euro and Schengen? The risk is too great.

From: Alan Ainley, Holmbridge, Holmfirth.

THE economic arguments for staying in the EU may be considered compelling. However does anyone seriously believe German and French manufacturers will allow the Union to embark on a trade war with the UK which would result in retaliatory UK action affecting their competitiveness in the UK?

From: Peter Hyde, Kendale Drive, Driffield.

I HAVE now received two Remain leaflets. How many more trees they are going to fell to make the paper this rubbish is printed on? I’m for Out.