Despite all the promises, it is highly unlikely that there will ever be a referendum on our EU membership, but our political masters are taking no chances.

Recently there was the direst of warnings that leaving the EU would fracture trade relations which in turn would seriously affect our economy. What rubbish.

Just look around you and see what we import from our European partners. Our roads teem with Volkswagens, BMWS, Citroens, Renaults, Seats and Fiats, to name just a few. Our electrical stores are crammed with fridges, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, boilers and power tools.

Supermarket shelves groan under the weight of fish, fruit, vegetables, dairy produce, canned goods, wines, cakes, confectionery, and pharmaceuticals. The sad fact is that Europe exports far more to the UK than it buys from us and despite what the doom- mongers say, it is their economies that would suffer if they stopped trading with us.

D Walker, Barrowford.