Much has been written and even more said, particularly by politicians, over the issue of the forthcoming referendum on membership of the EU. However, they never mention the basic facts as to how the EU operates.

If we look at the overall picture, the EU was never intended to be anything but a political organisation. Of course they want us to stay as we are the third highest contributor to the funds after Germany and France.

Although many talk about the CAP money coming from the EU the UK, in fact, does not get one penny from Brussels. Our NET contribution, that is over and above any monies received, last year was £11.2 billion!

The EU is undemocratic in that it is run by appointed Commissioners. MEPs are there to give a nod to democratic workings but they virtually rubber stamp what the Commissioners decide 70 per cent to 80 per cent of UK legislation now comes from Brussels.

A few examples of this legislation that affects us are: the break up of the Post Office and the break up of British Rail. The cessation of dredging on the Somerset levels, and elsewhere, resulting in the catastrophic flooding, was down to the EU Directive 2000/60/EC 'European Water Framework Directive'.

On top of all this interference the cost of implementing EU legislation costs the UK £134 billion annually through 'the working time directive', 'renewable energy', 'Climate and Energy' and 'temporary workers directive' just to name a few.

Our politicians have handed the running of our country over to a foreign power. Even if all our MEPs voted together, a very unlikely event, we have only 10 per cent of the vote so cannot do anything significant.

So let’s get the power back to Westminster where at least we can vote them out if we do not agree with them.

Brian Wright

Sedbergh