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| Other areas of debate on Europe | Other areas of debate on Europe |
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| It's not just politicians and business leaders who should speak up about the benefits of our EU membership (Editorial, 11 January). There are people all over the deprived areas of this country who can bear testimony to the difference European money has made to their lives. I have detailed experience of three Leader local development programmes in the remote uplands of northern England, over 15 years. Then there are towns like Consett and Stoke, that have been restored to life by EU grants. Perhaps the Guardian could put out a call for ordinary people to describe their successes? Leader money is allocated and spent by people on the ground — and is very efficient as a result. Now Europe wants to extend this method through all development. It's a heady thought. | It's not just politicians and business leaders who should speak up about the benefits of our EU membership (Editorial, 11 January). There are people all over the deprived areas of this country who can bear testimony to the difference European money has made to their lives. I have detailed experience of three Leader local development programmes in the remote uplands of northern England, over 15 years. Then there are towns like Consett and Stoke, that have been restored to life by EU grants. Perhaps the Guardian could put out a call for ordinary people to describe their successes? Leader money is allocated and spent by people on the ground — and is very efficient as a result. Now Europe wants to extend this method through all development. It's a heady thought. |
| European Leader money has to be matched by national governments and in its turn it attracts other sources of funding. Grants can be ridiculously small by bankers' standards, but they mean survival and prosperity to small communities. We've made friends with ordinary people in many countries by sharing problems – and solutions. It's time the nation realised what good comes from belonging – there are some terrific stories to be told. Wendy Bond Brampton, Carlisle | European Leader money has to be matched by national governments and in its turn it attracts other sources of funding. Grants can be ridiculously small by bankers' standards, but they mean survival and prosperity to small communities. We've made friends with ordinary people in many countries by sharing problems – and solutions. It's time the nation realised what good comes from belonging – there are some terrific stories to be told. Wendy Bond Brampton, Carlisle |
| • Simon Sweeney's letter (12 January) is a reminder that much of our progress is recent years is down to the EU. The various directives on marine protected areas, environmental status, beach-water quality etc have pushed the Scottish (and UK) government into measures that would not have been taken so soon. So much of our Isle of Arran has better sewage collection, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency monitors farm waste and the potential marine protected areas have just been announced. This is progress for the environment and the quality of life of us all. Sally Campbell Lamlash, Isle of Arran | • Simon Sweeney's letter (12 January) is a reminder that much of our progress is recent years is down to the EU. The various directives on marine protected areas, environmental status, beach-water quality etc have pushed the Scottish (and UK) government into measures that would not have been taken so soon. So much of our Isle of Arran has better sewage collection, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency monitors farm waste and the potential marine protected areas have just been announced. This is progress for the environment and the quality of life of us all. Sally Campbell Lamlash, Isle of Arran |
| • Simon Sweeney lists a variety of improvements to public life for which we should thank the EU. But many of the things he mentions would have happened anyway and were certainly not the result of EU pressure or legislation. For instance, his claim that EU membership caused Britain to tackle the problem of lead in petrol is wrong; there was no such pressure. | • Simon Sweeney lists a variety of improvements to public life for which we should thank the EU. But many of the things he mentions would have happened anyway and were certainly not the result of EU pressure or legislation. For instance, his claim that EU membership caused Britain to tackle the problem of lead in petrol is wrong; there was no such pressure. |
| In 1975 there was a special Labour cabinet committee to discuss the arguments for and against reducing lead in petrol. There was agreement that issues of health, especially of children, were compelling, but some concern was expressed about the future of the car industry. After long debate, without any prodding from the EU, the committee decided that action was needed. Eric Deakins London | In 1975 there was a special Labour cabinet committee to discuss the arguments for and against reducing lead in petrol. There was agreement that issues of health, especially of children, were compelling, but some concern was expressed about the future of the car industry. After long debate, without any prodding from the EU, the committee decided that action was needed. Eric Deakins London |
| • So, if David Cameron's speech on Europe is "only" as Eurosceptic as Mrs Thatcher's Bruges speech, at least 25 anti-EU Tory MPs will quit (Analysis, 12 January). What's not to like? Compared to the risks Mr Cameron will expose us all to if he does go further than Mrs Thatcher, "losing" 25 MPs looks trivial. They would probably continue to vote with the government on everything except EU matters (and perhaps gay marriage), but they don't vote with the government on EU matters, anyway. If they voted against the government in a vote of confidence, they would simply precipitate the search for a new and more stable coalition. If this could be found, then the UK position in EU negotiations could be determined on the basis of the best interests of the UK, rather than Conservative party management. David Roberts London | • So, if David Cameron's speech on Europe is "only" as Eurosceptic as Mrs Thatcher's Bruges speech, at least 25 anti-EU Tory MPs will quit (Analysis, 12 January). What's not to like? Compared to the risks Mr Cameron will expose us all to if he does go further than Mrs Thatcher, "losing" 25 MPs looks trivial. They would probably continue to vote with the government on everything except EU matters (and perhaps gay marriage), but they don't vote with the government on EU matters, anyway. If they voted against the government in a vote of confidence, they would simply precipitate the search for a new and more stable coalition. If this could be found, then the UK position in EU negotiations could be determined on the basis of the best interests of the UK, rather than Conservative party management. David Roberts London |
| • The often-repeated claim that peace in Europe since 1945 is all down to the EU deserves scepticism. Japan also committed to non-aggression after the second world war. The experience of Germany and Japan of being catastrophically defeated by new global superpowers, the threat from communism on their doorsteps and the globalisation of economies were surely as influential. Julian Le Vay Oxford | • The often-repeated claim that peace in Europe since 1945 is all down to the EU deserves scepticism. Japan also committed to non-aggression after the second world war. The experience of Germany and Japan of being catastrophically defeated by new global superpowers, the threat from communism on their doorsteps and the globalisation of economies were surely as influential. Julian Le Vay Oxford |
| • Now Simon Sweeney has kickstarted a debate about the EU with a comprehensive list of why we should stay in, would Mr Farage and the Tory right like to provide us with a list of reasons why we should leave? Paul Robinson Warninglid, West Sussex | • Now Simon Sweeney has kickstarted a debate about the EU with a comprehensive list of why we should stay in, would Mr Farage and the Tory right like to provide us with a list of reasons why we should leave? Paul Robinson Warninglid, West Sussex |
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