ON January 1, 1973, the Conservative government under Edward Heath took Britain into the Common Market by a simple majority vote in parliament.

Labour promised that they would seek to renegotiate terms of the treaty by holding a referendum on continued membership. The referendum was subsequently held in June, 1975.

The loss of political self -determination was one of the objections. The loss of control over the UK's industry and trade was another.

It was also said there would be mass unemployment and the increase in emigration of our workers and their families to the detriment of the British economy and our standard of living.

The MPs in favour were the entire leadership of the Conservative Party and the majority of the Labour Cabinet (signs of New Labour).

British consumers and taxpayers are paying heavily for the Common Agricultural Policy. Our trade deficit with the EU is increasing.

In real terms, unemployment has increased, or, in other times, there has been a loss of manufacturing jobs. There has been a high rate of investment in the EU to the detriment of investment in Britain. Britain's standard of living has declined in comparison with other EU countries.

The EU is a steady drain on our economy -- we pay more than we receive in returns.

Politicians wonder why there is an increase in the number of people who do not choose to vote. But it's simply because the politicians have alienated themselves from the electorate. They also suffer from selective amnesia.

GORDON TAYLOR, Mayfield Road, Ramsgreave, Blackburn.