ON JUNE 23, the United Kingdom will have the opportunity to decide whether we want to remain in or leave the "reformed" European Union.

One of the fundamental principles of the EU was opening of borders allowing free movement of individuals to travel freely within member states, take employment and enjoy the rights, welfare benefits and protection each country provided.

The "reforms" that David Cameron says he has asked for have yet to be negotiated and it is very unlikely the EU will accept them, as past history reveals. Many of us who voted to join the Common Market, as it was then called, remember that the promises to reform the Common Market Agricultural Policy and rid it of the butter mountains, and beef mountains and wine lakes which were being sold cheaply to Eastern European countries and Russia, did not occur. What happened was the gradual decline of dairy farming in this country.

The migration of foreigners into this country has overwhelmingly exceeded the figures projected by the government, bringing chaos to our housing, schools and hospitals.

The majority of these migrants bring in no pecuniary wealth, unlike British ex-pats who on leaving this country are no burden to the country they choose to live in. Our handouts to migrants from the EU nations are generous compared to those received when we go abroad, where generally we have to pay up front for any services.

There do not appear to be any sound reasons why we should remain in the EU unless we want to add on another tier of government. This I see as a golden opportunity for our politicians to feather their nests and "fleece" the electorate.

VIM RODRIGO

Rivermead Road

Oxford