Your correspondents that rail against the EU are profoundly mistaken. This May the whole of Western Europe will be celebrating 70 years of peace and prosperity – a whole lifetime.

What started as a simple agreement by the Nations of Europe after the war to rebuild our industries together has proved spectacularly successful – together we have built the largest and most prosperous economy in the world.

We have also given ourselves much greater opportunities and more freedom than we ever had before. My son lives and works in Berlin and we know others who enjoy their retirement in Spain.

The distorted views being pedalled by UKIP and the Eurosceptics are based on ignorance of the facts, prejudice and fear. They need to take off their blinkers and open their eyes. Over the 40 years we have been members the EU has solved every problem and proved itself remarkably adaptable. Far from failing it is continuing to succeed and to meet and adapt to the challenges of today.

I have much greater confidence in the European institutions of the Council, Parliament and Commission – which has no powers except those given to it by our Ministers or MEPs – than I have in Westminster. No wonder so many Scots wish to leave the UK but stay in the EU.

Mike Biden, Winchester.