THOSE who campaign for us to leave the European Union have such a negative view of our place in Europe and the benefits of membership. Roger Mathew’s letter (Times, March 10) is typical.

The suggestion that the Human Rights Act is not compatible with British constitutional freedoms is simply incorrect. Freedom of assembly, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, no punishment without law, the right to a fair trial, the right to liberty, protection from discrimination and the right to free elections: these are all key elements of the act. I am proud to be part of a community that enshrines these principles.

Workers have benefited enormously from the Working Time Directive which in 1998 for the first time gave employees statutory holiday, a maximum working week and minimum rest breaks. We would not have had those rights if we had not been part of the EU.

Those of us who live in Cornwall have, since 2000, received over £750-million of funding from the EU as a result of our Objective One status. That has helped improve road, rail and air travel in the county, stimulated the development of broadband and provided support to businesses through the Innovation Centres. None of this would have happened had we not been part of the EU.

Forty percent of the UK’s trade is with the EU which is the world’s largest free trade single market. Why on earth would we want to leave that and hope that somehow by leaving it we would still be able to to have all the benefits despite the fact that we would have no influence on the rules that govern it?

Rather than trying to denigrate the EU we should be saying that cooperation with our European colleagues is in the best interests of British people. We should be making a positive case for a Europe with stronger workers’ rights, sustainable growth and jobs at the heart of economic policy. We should be proud to be European and proud to be in the European Union.

Alastair Tinto

Calstock

FURTHER to the letter from Mr Matthew in last week’s Times – I agreed with every word completely.

To my mind we have two main questions to ask ourselves before we vote.

(1) If we were not at present, in the EU, would you vote to join?

(2) Are you happy to be controlled by bureaucrats you don’t know, did not vote for and can’t get rid of?

Also can anyone explain to me what out Prime Minister achieved crawling on his knees begging everyone, including head of France and Germany, for favours to help him, con the electory, just liked Ted Heath and Harold Wilson did.

My worry is that if Cameron is the best person we have to deal with Europe then God help us.

Personally I would prefer to send ‘Del Boy Trotter’ next time – he would be more successful (well he couldn’t do worse could he?).

D P Hunter