Letter: Life in the European Union is not ideal, but we are better together
In last year's coverage of the centenary of the First World War there was one striking omission. There was hardly a mention of it in our debates about the relationship of Britain with the European Union.
This overlooks the fundamental reason why the EU was created. After centuries of dynastic, nationalistic and ideological conflict, the post-1945 leaders took a long-term decision to prevent war again on our continent.
British politicians and commentators often argue that the only reason we joined the EU was free trade.
Free trade is important, not only to raise living standards, or to create winners and losers in a competitive free market. An important effect in Europe has been to make our economies and societies so inextricably inter-dependent that we cannot go to war again.
As a result Europe's main combatant nations have enjoyed 70 years of peace.
The European Commission and other EU institutions provide a mechanism for reaching compromises and resolving tensions. They are far from perfect, but are much better than if they did not exist. As was argued in the Scottish Referendum campaign, we are better together.
Another founding principle of the European Union was the creation of peace within society. In the early days of the Cold War this was motivated partly by the need to win the loyalty of western European working people, and dissuade them from supporting Communist expansion.
Human rights are another aspect of this search for social justice and peace. Where basic equalities are not guaranteed and minorities are not protected, the result is deep alienation and communal conflict.
Our EU membership attracts a great deal of inward investment into Britain. No-one has explained why our European neighbours should want to go on allowing us these free trade benefits if we try to gain an unfair advantage over them by scrapping the Social Chapter and human rights, and undercutting their social and environmental costs.
Reforms are certainly needed in Europe.
The economic necessity of solving the Euro crisis requires the Euro-zone countries to unify their financial decision-making.
This greater centralisation will inevitably re-define their relationship with the non-Euro countries like Britain. All member states, including Britain, must therefore re-negotiate the way in which the EU works.
Britain's aim should be to maximise our involvement, not to minimise it. We must not only seek to secure free trade in our own interests, but also renew our commitment to the EU.
Michael Bourke
Church Stretton
