Is EU any worse than our plutocrat rulers?

Much discussion about the forthcoming referendum centres on the economy and on what is best for “us”. But who is meant by “us”?

The present ruling party is taking it upon itself to undermine the NHS and reduce support for renewable energy, neither of which was in its manifesto. The rich are becoming ever richer and the poor poorer. There is every indication that our rulers’ prime interest, individually and collectively, is themselves and their wealthy associates.

Many of us have more affinity with ordinary European workers than we do with these selfsatisfied plutocrats. Europe does have a demonstrable democracy deficit, but so does Westminster. Because of our dubious electoral system, governments are routinely elected with very much less than half of the vote. This system allowed Tony Blair to take us to war in Iraq on scant evidence, and almost certainly against the wishes of most of the electorate.

Loss of sovereignty is cited by the “out” camp as one of the reasons for leaving Europe. I would suggest that if we are concerned about sovereignty we should have regional parliaments and remain in Europe with a properly federal system in which decisions are made at an appropriate level. Then we could beneficially abandon Westminster. Susan Alexander Frampton Cotterell South Gloucestershire John Curtice (“Britain is deeply Eurosceptic but will still decide to stay, says poll”, 24 February) believes that the economy is likely to be the decisive factor in the referendum on the EU. It always should have been.

In 1956, I was dismayed at our refusal to join the five, rejecting the pleas from Henri Spaak of Belgium and Dr Luns of the Netherlands. Our refusal then loaded the dice against us, allowing the excessive bureaucracy about which the Eurosceptics have been complaining ever since.

Looking at the Eurosceptics – “all the usual suspects” – I see no one with the credentials to speak about business. Like the restored Bourbons, they have learnt nothing and forgotten nothing. My own credentials are a career of 30 years in six countries, working for three multinationals, having to operate in three foreign languages.

“It’s the economy, stupid.” William Haines

Shrewsbury Peter Randall’s speculation (letters, 25 February) that a headless UK would be renamed FEW (Federation of England & Wales) needs to be firmly scotched. A reduced union might require a new name, but there can be only one possible choice. With a proud tradition as shopkeepers and with a fetish for our currency, that name is Poundland. Nigel Scott London N22 If we leave the EU, will not this present unrepresentative Tory government have a field day in new plutocratic legislation and regulation, unhindered by present EU constraints?

My 86-year-old mind boggles! Leonard West

Bristol I can’t take it any longer! A bunch of people who we didn’t elect are controlling our armed forces, directing our disastrous foreign policy, and drawing us into an ever-closer union. The sooner we break away from Washington the better.

Incidentally, I’ll be voting to remain in the EU. David Rose Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands