I find it strange that your correspondent Lew Speight (Letters, April 1) does not seem to realise that Britain is a member of the European Union and has been since 1973, or is he advocating a withdrawal and supporting those candidates standing in the European election in June who do so?

If so, he is advising us to waste our vote. Those candidates who stood on this ticket in the 1997 got a derisory vote. The Euro is now the common currency of 11 member states. It has not involved any transfer of the assets mentioned by Mr Speight, low interest rates, financial stability and lowering of costs can only benefit pension funds in general, in the long run, throughout Europe, including the UK. Mr Speight's brand of letter is typical of the ultra Eurosceptics. Myths, rather than facts, are their stock in trade.

Richard O Whiting,

Redman Close,

Fulford,

York.

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