IN his letter (Bury Times, June 21) Derek Boden states: "I understand that the original reason for the creation of the European Community no longer chimes with younger people".

Does he not realise it no longer chimes with some older people and those of middle age also?

I thought we joined the EEC to become part of a "Common Market". Supposedly for trade and jobs.

Wasn't that what we were told at the time? I don't think anyone ever expected to become common marionettes with a European Parliament pulling our strings 30 years later.

When you look at all the goods from the Far East that have flooded our country since the end of the Second World War marked Made in Hong Kong, Japan, China etc, one has to ask do we really need to form a Union or have a common currency in order to trade.

Trade is about supply and demand. The right goods at the right price matters more than where something comes from or what currency changes hands to get it.

It is folly to say being part of Europe has stopped wars. It did not stop this country going to the Falklands, Iraq twice, or bring peace to Northern Ireland.

To any serviceman in uniform facing bullets and bombs these are/were real wars. Not just conflicts or troubles as described by the politicians in suits from behind the safety of their desks.

Why did Europe not intervene in the former Yugoslavia as men women and children were being murdered in cold blood under the noses of supposed peacekeepers? You can't get much more closer to home.

Does history show that federations work? The United States has different laws across America. The Soviet Union broke apart. Euro squabbles while home burns. Too many cooks...?

Think about this one. The same politicians that devolved the UK for better accountability allow laws and regulations be dictated or overruled by a European Parliament.

Mr Boden says the real choice for Britain is either to be an equal member of the EU . . . or be a subordinate satellite of the United States.

Is this the same EU that stockpiles or destroys food while half the world starves?

Is this the same America that our country went shoulder to shoulder with into war?

There is a third choice Mr Boden. It is time we all woke up and kicked out all the hypocrisy, sleaze and waste out of politics.

We don't need Europe or America or any other country to give us decent laws or to protect our rights and civil liberties do we?

In reality all we need is a decent, open and honest Government. One willing to stand up for this country and put the Great back into Britain again.

We don't need Europe to put the world to rights for us either.

If we command respect as an individual country we should not need to join a gang in order to make others listen.

NO POLITICAL ALLEGIANCE