I HAVE read Hazel Dawe’s letter about why we need the EU and would like to comment on a couple of things she wrote.

One item was about EU legislation on clean air, currently being used to get local authorities to clear the air in our city and town centres.

I thought that was sorted in Oxford, with the clean or very low emission buses during recent years along with the ban on cars during the day time.

I know cars are allowed through the city centre from the evening until early morning and the congestion during those hours would, I thought, have been minimal.

Dr Dawe also mentioned the Habitats Directive and other EU legislation which protects our wildlife and our countryside.

Tell that to the people who are going to be affected by the proposed route of HS2, in some cases homes and businesses destroyed, not to mention the ruination of the countryside and detriment to wildlife.

As for reducing our energy bills, cheaper energy-saving white goods and light bulbs is one thing, but what about the ever-increasing cost of gas and electricity, not to mention the green tariff added to the energy bills of which we have no control?

Yes there is much to reform in the EU, but try as he might, David Cameron won’t be able to get all the changes he’s asking for and we will always be dictated to by Brussels.

We can still trade with the rest of Europe if we pulled out. BMW won’t pull out of Cowley, not when they are making mega bucks, and I don’t suppose other foreign firms would either.

MICHAEL CLARKE
Lewell Avenue, Old Marston