Is £1.7bn EU bill part of a cunning plan?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/29/european-union-bill-part-cunning-plan

Version 0 of 1.

The £1.7bn statistical adjustment is painted as some sort of invoice for money to be spent by “Eurocrats” (EU’s €2bn demand on UK, 24 October). No mention of the fact that this money will largely be spent in member states and that poorer countries get a larger proportion of that. Some time ago it was thought to be in the UK national interest to support less-affluent economies, in particular in southern and eastern Europe. That apparently has changed to just making sure to pay as little as possible.

On that note it is misleading to show a graphic just with the total payment and repayment numbers by country. These countries vary massively regarding the size of their economies. Payments in percent of GDP would show a more appropriate picture and demonstrate the UK’s €1.7bn is not that exciting. Another interesting possibility would have been the percentage of total contributions since 1994, the period this adjustment covers. That little bit of adding context would have made the difference to the tabloid papers.Stefan WundrakGarching bei München, Germany

• Jonathan Freedland’s article (In his anger, Cameron has made Britain a toxic brand, 25 October) hints at but does not develop what could be a very real scenario. Perhaps, just perhaps, our 27 fellow EU members and the commission have become so fed up with Britain’s persistent moaning and general obstructionism that they’d quite like to see the back of us.

Perhaps the £1.7bn “adjustment” is part of a cunning plan to push us further in that direction. Perhaps if or when Britain does vote to leave their attitude will be “OK, off you go and good riddance; oh and don’t think for a minute you are going to get a sweetheart, single-market, trade deal”. Just a thought.Dick BolandLewes, East Sussex

• It has recently come to the light of the authorities, mainly because I’ve been bragging about how much better I’ve been doing than my neighbours, that my income over the previous years has been greater than I have previously declared. I also failed to reveal certain cash-in-hand, black-economy items. I am now being pursued for a “surcharge” on my extra income. This is grossly unfair. Will Mr Cameron please help me?Doug EdwardsManchester