Europe - we've been counted

SIR - Heaven forbid the electorate stand up and vote in a UKIP government as suggested by David Beagley, giving a thousand and one reasons why we should lay aside our so-called independence and become a part of an ideal we have been at loggerheads with si

SIR - Heaven forbid the electorate stand up and vote in a UKIP government as suggested by David Beagley, giving a thousand and one reasons why we should lay aside our so-called independence and become a part of an ideal we have been at loggerheads with since the Reformation. After all, I wish to become part of Europe, even if he doesn't.Let's face it: had there been a UKIP government now, or any time in the past, where would we be now? Some insignificant little island, caught between America on one hand and Europe on the other, whose influence on the world stage would have as much clout as a parish council.Yes I look forward to the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty and if we do lose control of our police and armed forces - so what? And what's wrong with the EU controlling more than 80 per cent of our laws? After all, we did have a referendum in 1973 for which the electorate did stand up and was counted.Fred Oathill, Appledore.www.northdevon.gov.uk