Letters to the editor: Should we stay in or leave the EU?

Sadiq Khan: "voting to leave the European Union would be turning our back on our very history as a city"
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
20 June 2016
WEST END FINAL

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London is not just a dynamic capital city but also a global success story, and it is impossible to separate that success from our membership of the European Union.

There are huge benefits to be gained by our city if we stay in the EU. London already exports nearly 40 per cent of its goods, worth £12.7 billion, to the EU, and in the past five years alone London and the South-East have gained £11.1 billion in direct foreign investment from EU members.

The advantages of EU membership also extend to the public services we rely on when we are most in need. The NHS in London has 16,800 staff from EU countries — including more than 2,800 doctors and over 6,900 nurses — and leaving could make it harder to recruit these vital workers. It is clear we are better prepared to face future challenges and protect London’s jobs inside the EU with access to the single market.

Our new Mayor Sadiq Khan has said “voting to leave the European Union would be turning our back on our very history as a city, who we are and how we look at the world”. Like our Mayor, the overwhelming majority of Labour MPs and Labour members in London believe that our city will be stronger, safer and better off by remaining in the European Union.
Wes Streeting MP, Chuka Umunna MP, Harriet Harman MP and 36 London Labour MPs

I don’t think much will change if we leave the EU, nor do I believe it will affect immigration. Of course, there will be a slight slump in the UK economy for a year or two until we extricate ourselves from the EU but in the longer term there are many benefits to be gained.

That we will be able to negotiate trade deals with other countries outside the EU without interference is important. The fact that EU law-makers cannot be voted out is undemocratic and I also believe it is impossible to impose a single set of economic conditions on nations with diversifying economic conditions. This is why countries such as Greece and Portugal have struggled and have had to be helped by the EU.

Back in 1973, the Conservatives forced us into the EU without a referendum, and with the opportunity to choose, I will be voting out. By doing so, I hope we can get back our democracy and at least that way if our own law-makers fail in their roles, we can vote them out.
Roy Luxton

Whatever the outcome of the referendum the key loser is already the British people. The squalid level to which the debate has descended and the contempt in which the British voter is held by our politicians is horrifying.

Worse, both campaigns have treated us as idiots and brought democracy into disrepute. Wild speculation and threats have alienated the public and it makes me wonder if we will ever regain trust in politicians.
Rupert Sawyer

Support Jo’s ideals as the best epitaph

The death of Jo Cox, the MP for Batley and Spen, is a terrible tragedy. She was someone elected for all the right reasons: to help make the world a better place. She was not alone in that ambition among MPs.

It has been one of the more nauseating elements in the aftermath of her death to hear so many media outlets — which have spent the past few years encouraging an atmosphere of contempt for MPs — shedding crocodile tears over this tragic incident.

Jo supported the Syrian refugees and was a positive voice on migration and backed Remain in Europe. She was all about having an open, diverse society, the exact opposite of those who feed on the insecurity of many and the encouragement of a distrust of the other. The best epitaph to Jo Cox would be to continue to promote her vision while facing down those who seek to divide us.
Paul Donovan

I was heartbroken and saddened to hear of another senseless death from a gun, such as we deal with here in the US every day — only this time it is across the pond. Rest in peace.
Michelle Missy

Support widows and their families

Next week marks International Widows Day, a day dedicated to the 259 million women and their children across the world who suffer exploitation, deprivation and rejection when their husbands die. This day offers us a powerful opportunity to raise awareness of their plight.

While the loss of a loved one is a devastating event, for many widows it is a loss deeper than anyone can know. It means not only losing a life partner but the ability to provide for their family, put clothes on their children’s backs and ultimately any chance of a future. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the plight of widows and must ensure that they are treated equally with opportunities for employment, education and participation in the economy.
Lord Loomba, founder, The Loomba Foundation

Many taxi drivers will be voting Leave

As taxi drivers, we talk to passengers on a daily basis and the topic of discussion currently is the EU referendum. We hear passengers discuss the issues affecting them and it is concerning that we send £350 million a week to Brussels without any control over how it is spent. This is money that could be spent on our priorities like the NHS.

We believe that to keep London a buzzing city, full of trade and tourism, we must vote Leave and take back control so we can invest in our country and our future, instead of paying to build roads and bridges in Greece.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a chance to take back control of our borders, our economy and our democracy.
216 black-cab drivers

We must condemn England violence

I was appalled to read your article concerning the violence at Euro 2016 [June 15]. The constant references to our “fans” as opposed to Russian “thugs” implicitly suggested we should applaud the violent response of English fans to provocation.

As the article admits, our own hooligans “had been drinking all day and were singing anti-Russia songs”. Their violent actions should not be defended.
Christopher Adams

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