Let us regain our country

These negotiations are an important pivotal point in our political history.

At a time when, more than ever, we needed strong governance and leadership. Britain needed a Winston Churchill-type figure to handle these negotiations, instead we got Neville Chamberlain with his piece of paper. But instead of peace for our time, we got the promise of a good deal and the horn of plenty, after we vote to stay in!

What concessions David Cameron has managed to prise out of the EU are trifle and virtually meaningless. All this nonsense about handbrakes and red cards pales into insignificance, because Britain can still be out-voted by the other member states. In effect, this is just another version of Qualified Majority Voting or QMV. In effect, this is practically the same thing as what is on offer, but with a different label on the tin!

We were promised treaty change, fundamental reform, control of our borders, the primacy of British law and repatriation of power.

We got none of these.

Brussels still reigns supreme, it is designed to work this way, no matter whatever David Cameron tells us.

It was stomach-churning and shameful to watch and listen to a democratically elected British Prime Minister, whom we can dismiss, and who secured a clear mandate to govern Britain with a working majority in last year’s General Election, genuflect and grovel to Donald Tusk (a former Polish PM, whom we did not elect, nor can we dismiss) to secure a few minor concessions.

It makes me wonder who really does govern Britain these days. This was a chance squandered by David Cameron to reassert his authority and position with the EU. Instead of calling the shots, he is merely prepared to trot at the heels of Europe.

Between now and whenever the referendum is announced, there will be the usual scaremongering from project fear, warning us of apocalyptic visions of Britain outside the EU, with tales of the bogeyman to frighten us as what will happen to Britain, should the people be foolish enough to want to leave.

A British “Brexit” will not be the end of the universe, it will be a new beginning.

The skies will not fall in on us, nor shall we be turned into pillars of salt and the Earth will still be round.

As an independent nation, Britain will still trade and have diplomatic relations with Europe. What we will not have is the costly and impractical political union that is all too often incompatible with British interests.

If Britain was not in the EU, we would certainly not vote to join it.

So why should we vote to stay in it?

There has been enough talk on Europe, it is a divisive issue that needs to be resolved. It is time for that long-overdue referendum, so bring in on and let the British people regain their country and control their own affairs.

Will Heyes via email

Proud to be a PNE supporter

I was one of the pictured fans in today’s LEP, I was with my brother on the Alan Kelly Town End (LEP February 8). I thought we played okay, even though we was under pressure for most of the game. I was a bit disappointed when we went behind but, like last season, we never gave up and it showed when we equalised.

We all went mental on the Town End, and when Browne got the winner, it was brilliant. It’s been one of the greatest games I’ve seen at home in ages.

I’m a season ticket holder for North End, have been so for a while. It’s always a great feeling when we win, and that win sure gave me a massive smile on my face. It made me proud to support Preston North End.

Brian Kessick via email