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| The Brexit bill and Britain’s war debts | The Brexit bill and Britain’s war debts |
| (5 days later) | |
| I am disappointed that you publish one pro-leave letter from Michael Knowles (8 September), and then half a dozen pro-remain letters in response (Britain stood alone? Let’s consign that myth to history, 10 September). Mr Knowles referred to “this country”, and “the western European nations”. He did not, thereby, dismiss the contribution of individual Europeans who resisted their wartime governments, or fought with the allies; or the troops of empire. | I am disappointed that you publish one pro-leave letter from Michael Knowles (8 September), and then half a dozen pro-remain letters in response (Britain stood alone? Let’s consign that myth to history, 10 September). Mr Knowles referred to “this country”, and “the western European nations”. He did not, thereby, dismiss the contribution of individual Europeans who resisted their wartime governments, or fought with the allies; or the troops of empire. |
| So I ask: what “myth”? Britain borrowed heavily, primarily from the US, during both world wars. The debt from the second world war was not repaid until 2006, that from the first world war not until 2015. In calculating any Brexit bill, the EU might first reimburse Britain what it paid in settling those debts. | So I ask: what “myth”? Britain borrowed heavily, primarily from the US, during both world wars. The debt from the second world war was not repaid until 2006, that from the first world war not until 2015. In calculating any Brexit bill, the EU might first reimburse Britain what it paid in settling those debts. |
| All the more so if about €10bn – 25% of the bill – is to help pay pensions of EU officials (Brexit divorce bill: how much is it and what is it for?, 29 November 2017). | All the more so if about €10bn – 25% of the bill – is to help pay pensions of EU officials (Brexit divorce bill: how much is it and what is it for?, 29 November 2017). |
| Meanwhile, according to the Child Poverty Action Group, “More than one in four children in the UK are growing up in poverty” – in the world’s sixth largest world economy. | Meanwhile, according to the Child Poverty Action Group, “More than one in four children in the UK are growing up in poverty” – in the world’s sixth largest world economy. |
| Whether or not it is a “myth” that Britain stood alone at the edge of a continent torn apart by war, Britain clearly “did its bit”. The EU should not forget, nor should we. And why pay €10bn towards pensions of EU officials while, every year, the BBC broadcasts Children in Need? Andrew KinnisonLondon | Whether or not it is a “myth” that Britain stood alone at the edge of a continent torn apart by war, Britain clearly “did its bit”. The EU should not forget, nor should we. And why pay €10bn towards pensions of EU officials while, every year, the BBC broadcasts Children in Need? Andrew KinnisonLondon |
| • Katy Logotheti-Anderson (Letters, 10 September) is absolutely right: the Greeks valiantly resisted the forces of fascism and assisted allies to do so too. My grandmother hid allied soldiers and Jews during the German occupation of Thessaloniki at great risk to her life and that of her family. | • Katy Logotheti-Anderson (Letters, 10 September) is absolutely right: the Greeks valiantly resisted the forces of fascism and assisted allies to do so too. My grandmother hid allied soldiers and Jews during the German occupation of Thessaloniki at great risk to her life and that of her family. |
| This work was later recognised by Field Marshal Alexander, supreme commander of allied forces, and I’m proud to have inherited the certificate she received. In fact, the Greeks still commemorate their brave resistance to enemy aggression during “Oxi [No] Day”, celebrated on 28 October every year – something the rest of the world might remember too.Charmaine FletcherBasildon, Essex | This work was later recognised by Field Marshal Alexander, supreme commander of allied forces, and I’m proud to have inherited the certificate she received. In fact, the Greeks still commemorate their brave resistance to enemy aggression during “Oxi [No] Day”, celebrated on 28 October every year – something the rest of the world might remember too.Charmaine FletcherBasildon, Essex |
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| Second world war | Second world war |
| First world war | First world war |
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