I hope people of NI will back Brexit

On November 13th, 1979, a newly appointed MP sent a letter to the Times newspaper pointing out all that was wrong with being members of the European Economic Community (now European Union) and concluded by saying that Britain had only two realistic choices which were to reform it more to the UK's best interests or to leave.

If nothing else this proves over how many years we British have been trying to reform the EU, and how unlikely we are ever to succeed in getting it to be more in tune with British requirements.

On June 15th, 1983 a young man campaigning to be elected to Parliament wrote in his election address “We’ll negotiate a withdrawal from the EEC, which has drained our natural resources and destroyed jobs”.

This same man, having won the seat, declared “I am, and always have been, a passionate supporter” (of European Union).

The first was John, now Sir John, Major and the second was Tony Blair, both urging us to remain in this expensive, damaging, “club”.

In 1975 I campaigned, as far as my limited knowledge and experience would allow, for a “no” vote in the referendum.

I have, and always have had, a passionate dislike and distrust of European Union. Nothing I have seen or heard since has persuaded me to change my mind.

I wonder what changed theirs?

Surely not the “thirty pieces of silver” dangled by the EU Commissioners?

I am hopeful that despite the bleatings of SDLP, Sinn Fein and others within the UUP, the people of Northern Ireland will exercise their wisdom in rejecting the binding of our nation by the EU and vote to leave.

Raymond Stewart, Newtownabbey