eurealist.co.uk

Sir - Philip Davies MP and his colleagues (Letters, July 18) are right to assert that the most important issue is not whether Conservative MEPs sit with the EPP but rather whether Britain should be a member of the EU at all.

While the former is of internal interest to the Conservative Party, the latter will decide the future of our economy and our democracy. In an age of emerging global markets, a protectionist EU surely does not offer the best future for Britain, or indeed for millions of others around the world who would dearly love to trade with us on an equal footing.

Trade and co-operation with our European neighbours are, of course, important, but as Norway and Switzerland ably demonstrate this can be easily achieved outside the EU. Not only would this give us access to the booming economies of India and China, it would also free us from the growing erosion of parliamentary democracy and the many restrictions federal legislation places on British business. That is why we, too, are backing the Better Off Out campaign.

Lord Weatherill (Speaker of the House of Commons, 1983-1992)
Lord Stoddart of Swindon
Lord Willoughby de Broke
Lord Vinson
Lord Pearson of Rannoch
London SW1

Telegraph Letters