Readers' letters - February 25

Under a Tory Government, it makes absolutely no sense to stay in the European Union.

I support freedom of movement and oppose racism.

In the UK, unfortunately, we are facing savage cuts at every level. Not enough houses, privatising social housing, NHS crisis, school class sizes, people unable to get a doctor’s appointment, closure of Sure Starts, benefit cuts – the list is endless. We all know this is as a result of a Tory Government.

Then we see the privatisation of our NHS which the EU is forcing on us.

With savage cuts, who are the people who suffer?

Ordinary people.

Then what about the EU in recent years ? A right-wing German-led Europe enforcing austerity on the Greek people, causing immense poverty and suffering. The EU has treated migrants disgracefully. First, they let many drown, then they built walls of barbed wire, and now thousands will be forced to live in steel containers. The overwhelming majority are fleeing war, persecution and poverty.

What about the EU’s fundamental principles? It’s now allowing the UK to openly discriminate against migrants. We are likely to be stuck with a Tory Government for a generation.

I can’t think of anything worse for our country.

This is certain if Cameron wins his referendum.

It is widely predicted if Cameron loses he will be forced out – views of BBC correspondents, Sky correspondents, Tory MPs, Nigel Farage, George Galloway, Alex Salmond – and it is my view.

If we reach this point, the Tories will elect a new leader who will become Prime Minister. This person will be perceived as having no mandate from the British people and an early general election could be triggered.

This prospect has to be better than voting remain, ensuring Cameron and the Tories stay in power for a generation, declaring a historic victory on the backs of ordinary people. Then there are the billions we are giving to the EU.

What the Tories are doing to this country is disastrous for ordinary people, and what they are doing to the EU is equally as bad. Europe is failing and we should leave.

Tony Benn opposed EU on a point of democracy. It is an undemocratic institution. I will be voting leave, knowing we are leaving a failed undemocratic EU which is putting at risk our NHS, is failing migrants, imposes austerity, condones discrimination, and there is the practical fact that, while we have a Tory Government which is likely to be in power for a generation, all we are doing is supporting the suffering of ordinary people here in the UK and cementing the Tory position for a generation.

Michael Moulding

Ashton in Makerfield

Best we have

Will we have stronger security, greater prosperity, and enhanced opportunities if we vote to pull out of the EU? Russia’s president Putin will rub his hands with glee if the EU is weakened, and I don’t see that improving our security. The EU single market, which Britain created, is important to our prosperity and if we vote to leave, we will lose the right to shape the decisions that control it. Leaving can only diminish the opportunities for our young people in the future.

The 28 countries in the EU face problems that none of us know with certainty how to resolve, but together we champion freedom and democracy. When there is a dispute, we no longer send millions of our people to be slaughtered on battlefields. Instead we set up a sub-committee and talk our way to compromise. The EU is far from perfect, but nowhere is there anything better.

Chris Davies

North West Liberal Democrats