ON May 9 town halls all over Britain and Europe will celebrate Europe Day by flying the European flag. Tavistock will not be among them. Our council debated a request at its meeting on March 29 and decided that flying the EU flag 'could be seen as a political statement' and 'would show that the town council had taken a stance on the matter'.

Yet our council is not too proud to proclaim on its stationery and its website that Tavistock is the Gateway to Cornwall and West Devon Mining and World Heritage Sites. Do council members know that this magnificent project could not have happened without the £2-million it received from the European Union? Or that the Gem Bridge being built over the River Walkham, which will add Tavistock to an international network of cycle paths and walkways, is made possible by a contribution of £600,000 from the EU? Surely these projects alone are worth celebrating?

Of course, the EU is about very much more than money. It is about peace, jobs, welfare and prosperity. In a turbulent world we need more than ever the huge market and the stability the EU gives us.

As politicians of every party represented at Westminster know, in nearly forty years of membership Britain has played a distinguished part in the development of the EU. This is why May 9 will be a day for national, as well as European, pride. It is why the EU flag will fly joyfully in other towns all over Britain.

And it is why, thanks to the timid decision of our own town council, Tavistock will once again be left behind. Our town will look churlish and ungrateful.

Christopher Denne

Chairman

European Movement

Tamar branch