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| A prime objective of the EU is a fairer society | A prime objective of the EU is a fairer society |
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| A prime objective of the EU is a fairer society. So rich England is a contributor while poorer Northern Ireland and Wales are beneficiaries. So it comes as no surprise that English Tory associations are leading the out campaign while Labour and the Lib Dems want to stay in. The only safe bet is that the result will be close and the split could go 52-48 either way. Chaos seems inevitable.Malcolm HowardBanstead, Surrey | A prime objective of the EU is a fairer society. So rich England is a contributor while poorer Northern Ireland and Wales are beneficiaries. So it comes as no surprise that English Tory associations are leading the out campaign while Labour and the Lib Dems want to stay in. The only safe bet is that the result will be close and the split could go 52-48 either way. Chaos seems inevitable.Malcolm HowardBanstead, Surrey |
| • The EU summit provides an opportunity for European leaders to address some of the main areas of concern facing us, such as the Syrian war and the consequent refugee crisis, perhaps especially as it impacts on EU countries. Instead, the agenda seems likely to be dominated by British demands for renegotiation of the membership principles of the EU; shame on us and shame on them.Bob ForsterShipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire | • The EU summit provides an opportunity for European leaders to address some of the main areas of concern facing us, such as the Syrian war and the consequent refugee crisis, perhaps especially as it impacts on EU countries. Instead, the agenda seems likely to be dominated by British demands for renegotiation of the membership principles of the EU; shame on us and shame on them.Bob ForsterShipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire |
| • Owen Jones claims Podemos offers “relentless optimism and hope” (Opinion, 11 February). But Podemos is splintering as the leadership betrays its earlier anti-austerity policies; its new message is clear: “No, we can’t.” A timely warning to anyone who thinks an EU movement is the answer to austerity and the EU oligarchs. Enrico TortolanoHove, East Sussex | • Owen Jones claims Podemos offers “relentless optimism and hope” (Opinion, 11 February). But Podemos is splintering as the leadership betrays its earlier anti-austerity policies; its new message is clear: “No, we can’t.” A timely warning to anyone who thinks an EU movement is the answer to austerity and the EU oligarchs. Enrico TortolanoHove, East Sussex |
| • We read about cuts to and closures of libraries across England. Why does this happen here, when in France, which is apparently in a worse economic state than the UK, a small village like Plouer-sur-Rance in Brittany (pop. c3,300) is able to build a splendid new library and village hall? Perhaps we should indeed be wary of turning our backs on continental values when it comes to the referendum.Richard FortinChichester | • We read about cuts to and closures of libraries across England. Why does this happen here, when in France, which is apparently in a worse economic state than the UK, a small village like Plouer-sur-Rance in Brittany (pop. c3,300) is able to build a splendid new library and village hall? Perhaps we should indeed be wary of turning our backs on continental values when it comes to the referendum.Richard FortinChichester |
| • In your editorial (17 February) you repeatedly refer to Europe, rather than membership of the EU, as in “Much of the Tory party is against Europe” or “the anti-European cause”. This gives an unjustified slant to the beliefs of those who have no anti-European sentiment but may believe it appropriate to leave the EU in its present form.Derek CannonBassenthwaite, Cumbria | • In your editorial (17 February) you repeatedly refer to Europe, rather than membership of the EU, as in “Much of the Tory party is against Europe” or “the anti-European cause”. This gives an unjustified slant to the beliefs of those who have no anti-European sentiment but may believe it appropriate to leave the EU in its present form.Derek CannonBassenthwaite, Cumbria |
| • In 1983 Tony Blair said, “We’ll negotiate a withdrawal from the EEC which has drained our natural resources and destroyed jobs”. Now he advocates our continued membership of the European Union when his statement in 1983 is as true today as it was then. Of course, in 1983 it would not enter his head that one day he might be in a position to be president of that union.William ScottNorth Berwick, East Lothian | • In 1983 Tony Blair said, “We’ll negotiate a withdrawal from the EEC which has drained our natural resources and destroyed jobs”. Now he advocates our continued membership of the European Union when his statement in 1983 is as true today as it was then. Of course, in 1983 it would not enter his head that one day he might be in a position to be president of that union.William ScottNorth Berwick, East Lothian |
| • So Tory MP Stewart Jackson dismisses Emma Thompson as an “overpaid, leftie luvvie” for her support for staying in the EU. It is the likes of Thompson who have kept the UK at the forefront of global culture. Philip WoodKidlington, Oxfordshire | • So Tory MP Stewart Jackson dismisses Emma Thompson as an “overpaid, leftie luvvie” for her support for staying in the EU. It is the likes of Thompson who have kept the UK at the forefront of global culture. Philip WoodKidlington, Oxfordshire |
| • As Marina Hyde implies, it is probably best not to intrude on the Tory squabble over how Margaret Thatcher might have voted in the EU referendum (I’ve no idea what Mrs T would have said, 13 February). The only thing that is clear is that throughout her political life she ruthlessly defended corporate interests and those of the rich and powerful over those of the working class. For this reason I suspect she would have been in the remain camp. On our side there can be no such ambiguity about where the late icons of the labour movement Tony Benn and Bob Crow would have stood, seeing a leave vote in the EU referendum as a chance to defend public ownership, workers’ international solidarity and the cause of socialism.Clive HeemskerkTrade Unionist and Socialist Coalition | • As Marina Hyde implies, it is probably best not to intrude on the Tory squabble over how Margaret Thatcher might have voted in the EU referendum (I’ve no idea what Mrs T would have said, 13 February). The only thing that is clear is that throughout her political life she ruthlessly defended corporate interests and those of the rich and powerful over those of the working class. For this reason I suspect she would have been in the remain camp. On our side there can be no such ambiguity about where the late icons of the labour movement Tony Benn and Bob Crow would have stood, seeing a leave vote in the EU referendum as a chance to defend public ownership, workers’ international solidarity and the cause of socialism.Clive HeemskerkTrade Unionist and Socialist Coalition |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |