Allow me to say thank you to those of your readers amongst the 235,000 who voted Liberal Democrat in the European elections. It is a privilege to be re-elected, and I was particularly pleased to see that we topped the poll in Burnley.

The EU owes its origins to people who had experience of a Europe destroyed by actions that stemmed from racial hatred, and who vowed to ensure that it would never happen again.

The election of a BNP representative for the North West is a dark reminder that its founding principles of liberty, justice and tolerance must be safeguarded and strengthened.

Chris Davies, Liberal Democrat MEP for North West