I WONDER if any reader can give me one good reason to be in the European Community. I know it can't be trade, as we are billions of pounds in deficit.

It can't be that we are gaining financially, as we put far more in than we get out.

It must by now cost every man, woman and child over £20 per week to be in, and that can't be good.

It can't be that we get cheap food, because we pay more than probably anyone outside the Market.

If you think our fishing industry is getting a good deal out of it, you had better ask our fishermen.

We have a problem with our beef. Over the last few years I think about ten people have died from BSE. In the same period, thousands must have died in Europe from road accidents. Brussels does not ban the motor car, but it bans our beef.

It can't be that we have joined with people of superior intelligence when you look at the crazy laws that the idiots in Brussels pass down.

We can't have joined up with nations of greater moral standards, because nobody but us obeys these crazy laws.

Not being a military alliance, it isn't on to say that it has helped to prevent another war in Europe.

I confess that I can see one good reason for at least some people to be in. That reason is that it does keep the unemployment figures down a little. There are many thousands on huge salaries being driven around in big cars.

R TOWNSEND (Mr), Carus Avenue, Darwen.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.