To leave or not to leave

It seems to have been forgotten by many, that what we now call the UK left the mainland continent of Europe some time ago --- about 450,000 years ago in round figures.

This resulted from the melting of Ice Age water to the north east of Britain to form the English Channel turning our country into an island.

Many tribes and countries have tried to subdue our island since but with a few exceptions they have had to take to their boats to reach us. Some have left more of their presence here than others but the net result to our peoples today, is that we have become somewhat un-European Europeans.

We do not say we are better----just that we are different. We tend to be practical rather than ideological which probably accounts for our reluctance over the years to fully endorse the EU project and to have come up with objections, opt outs and vetoes and in particular a refusal to join the euro.

The present differences and squabbling which are affecting those inside and outside the euro zone alike do not bode well for the 28 countries already in the club and the situation is only likely to deteriorate.

In 1973 we in the UK endorsed what was described to us as a Common Market. This turned into a single market with all its rules and regulations and most importantly, its laws imposed upon us by a largely undemocratic elite whom we will probably never meet as they live abroad and flit at great expense between Brussels and Strasbourg whilst coming up with ideas of how we should live our lives.

I am not sure whether a lot of people in the UK like that. We are not used to being so treated. I am not sure whether a lot of people in Greece or Spain and many of the other 27 countries like it either. Not to have control is a loss of freedom.

I foresee a growing desire in other countries to have their own referenda whether we vote to remain or leave.

As far as immigration is concerned, we have a comparable situation in Audlem when permission to build some 165 new houses was granted recently which, when completed will expand the village population (currently c.1950) by some 650 people. Hopefully, our democratic process will give us a say to put a stop to future large developments. This would not be the case with immigration, should the Remainers win.

We will have no control over immigration from the EU which we hear is of benefit to our country in the short term but surely not year after year after year after year ad infinitum.

Brexit will not be an easy ride but I am convinced that we will come out stronger and in charge of our destiny not only in Europe but throughout the world.

A vote to remain after all our whingeing will surely be seen as a sign of defeat and any influence we may have had will be scorned and ignored.

We have only this one chance to leave. Let us take it!

David Latchford.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.