HOW refreshing to read the two letters in the past two weeks by Dorothy Kirk and Alistair Tinto. They put forward the benefits to all of us of being in Europe in a clear, rational way.

In contrast, the letters opposing are irrational and paranoid: ‘our PM crawling on his knees…’ (DP Hunter) or downright absurd ‘the European Parliament is based on the Tower of Babel’! As if there has been nothing good to come out of our relationship with Europe.

Of course joining all organisations has positives and negatives, which apply at the personal as well as a governmental level. However, the more one commits the more one benefits.

The UK gains far more than we would lose by being a partner in Europe. Our benefits cannot be counted just on in-out figures alone. The amount we benefit from increased trade, investment, jobs growth and lower prices far outweighs the amount we pay in. Dorothy Kirk refers to a CBI report pointing out that each family in the UK is £3,000 better off because of our membership. The South West, in particular, profits from European funding.

For all workers the minimum wage was a European initiative as were maternity and paternity rights. How low would wages be in the South West without the protection of the minimum wage? The environment and wildlife cannot be protected by the UK alone, we need European wide agreements. So much of our lives require this cooperation.

Incidentally, all European legislation and Council of Minister decisions have input from Britain – we are partners. Nothing is imposed unilaterally.

We cannot retreat back to the past. There is no golden age of empire that can be restored for a Britain on its own. Voting to stay and reforming Europe is the best choice.

Ian Gaspar

Tavistock