SIR: The simple answer to Cllr P D Johnston's comment to me (June 27) that 'WWII ended 50 years ago', is "I know that!" I saw it through in khaki. We repelled German occupation forces with their extermination camps, enabling our younger generations to be born in freedom. Yet his belief that we have no EU option is surely abject surrender?

We joined EEC in 1973, then on June 5 1975, Harold Wilson held a referendum to decide whether to leave the EEC Common Market - NOT the European Union, Cllr, which is a 1990 title and a colossal proposition altogether! It ends its last phase with a successful Single Currency by 2,000AD, after which a Political Union (and more!) is planned! Heaven forbid!

Germany's renaissance since WW2 made it extremely powerful, yet it seeks more power still - European and global. It has created, with France, a stringent EU control system of voting which benefits both, but not us! Germany owes us nothing!

E g A leading daily newspaper reported Tony Blair's recent summit experience as Failure in Amsterdam, as he came back with minor concessions yet was fooled into giving away our powers (vetos) to block EU progress! Just like Heath, Thatcher and Major did years ago! What gain for us?

Whilst denigrating Sir James Goldsmith's superb efforts to let the people decide democratically on our future in the EU, Cllr Johnston derides his ideas, yet seeks similar measures - freedom of nations to trade and progress to mutual advantage, etc and retain sovereignty over their own people, not under E U bureaucratic compulsion! Is subjection forever, what you want, Cllr Johnston?

J Wilkinson

Fall Birch Road, Bolton

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