We are now in the final stretch of campaigning about whether Britain should remain in the EU, or make an exit.

I have done a considerable amount of study on the EU, its strengths, its weakness, and its historical evolution since the Rome Treaty founded the Union in 1953.

I am of the firm view that we should vote to stay in the Union of more than 500 million people working together in 28 member states.

It is wrong to say that since we joined in 1973 we have lost our sovereignty. We have pooled our sovereignty with the other 27 countries. It is the largest trading bloc, with a strong single market.

This gives us free access to our exports. Some 60 per cent goes there. Also it has freedom of movement for capital and services and people. More than five million jobs are tied to our accession to the Union.

We have an opt out on the single currency, which 18 of the member states are part of. Also we are signed up to the very important provision in the union on the principle of subsidiarity, which indicates that legislation that could apply better at member state level should take precedence over Union law. It is a myth to say we have lost our sovereignty.

The EU is a bastion of co-operation on the vexed question of global warming, to tackle the increasing threat of environmental degradation.

It is vital we work with the other 27 member states. There are whole host of directives on cleaner beaches, pollution levels and depleting fish stocks, which we have benefited by working as Europeans.

The Union is not an economic union to foster capitalism. It has a strong social policy, which protects our workers and working conditions.

Brussels, which is the equivalent of Whitehall, is not a gargantuan bureaucracy. It is smaller than our civil service, and several noted English Commissioners who work in Brussels have protected our interests.

The Commission does not legislate - the legislation is under the democratic aegis of the European Parliament where we have more than 70 MEPs elected every five years.

The law-making body of the Union is the European Council, consisting of our Prime Minister and ministers, who meet every six months to formulate policy.

Finally with the increasing threat of ideological terrorism like ISIS, it is much better for us in Britain to work with the other 27 countries, and also to deal with the influx of millions of migrants/refugees from volatile areas.

Luckshan Abeysuriya

Ulverston