IT IS not often that I agree with the content of John Tanner’s letters but to my surprise, I find that I agree with almost all of what he said in his letter (‘World’s biggest market’, February 8).

With the figures of those who bothered to vote in the Referendum at 52 per cent Leave and 48 per cent Remain, it was not the overwhelming majority which some claim. There are many who, like myself, get very irritated to see or read in the media that “the British people have turned their backs on Europe” because they have not! Some perhaps have, but there were almost as many who saw sense and voted to continue cooperating with our immediate neighbours, despite the faults of the EU which can only be remedied from the inside, rather than shouting from the touchline.

Mr Tanner tells us of the obvious advantages of having “the world’s biggest market on our doorstep” and the perils of cutting ourselves off from it.

My fears are that we – the UK – will become an insignificant little island with no influence anywhere, isolated from most of the worthwhile trading agreements and becoming more and more under the influence of the United States.

There is another aspect of our membership of the EU and I must here declare an interest as I lost an elder brother in World War Two.

Before the EU started with the European Coal and Steel Agreement in 1951, there was a war between European nations about every 20 years: 1939, 1914, 1870 and so on. Since we have been talking to each other, not always agreeing but at least talking, there has not been a war between European nations for 73 years! That, alone, is a good enough argument for me. I don’t want my grandchildren sent off to do the dirty work for dodgy politicians while they sit at home in their warm and comfortable offices or country houses, writing their memoirs.

To recap: I think the underwhelming decision to leave the EU was/is a serious mistake but thankfully, it seems that an increasing number are beginning to realise that.

GORDON CLACK
Witney Road
Ducklington