Appreciate EU - Ben Littler

THE political affiliations of letter-writer Derek Clark ("Our cash should be spent in the UK not on EU bail outs," (Opinions, June 6) make it clear that his opinions on so-called bail outs are merely a part of an anti-EU stance and not an objective argument.

In stressing these views, he misrepresents the purpose of assisting other EU states in times of crisis and fails to address the many benefits that Derbyshire, and the UK as a whole, enjoys via our membership of the European Union.

The bail outs are an important part of ensuring the success of European economies and are a support mechanism we, too, could rely on should the UK ever be in need of it.

In this manner, the EU is able to ensure that member states can contribute to a robust European economy that will be able to hold its own in the face of growing super economies in the likes of China and India.

The days of small, national economies being able to compete in the international arena are coming to an end. Besides this, our economies are now so interdependent that to bail out our neighbours is almost akin to bailing out our own economy.

In addition to the costs involved in membership of the union, there are also many benefits and such expenditure may be viewed as an investment – we certainly have an interest in the future success of the EU and of other member states.

The furtherance of the UK's – and Derbyshire's -business interests is just one such area in which the EU is providing opportunity.

I am aware of many people whose employment is directly linked to Britain's status as an EU member state and there are a wealth of EU-funded business support organisations that provide information on trade opportunities in Europe and create links for UK business.

Business also benefits from the freedom of movement of both goods and people within Europe – exporting goods to another EU state is now as simple as moving goods from Derby to Edinburgh.

In addition to this, the EU has brought greater power for the consumer, better working conditions and the promotion of democratic institutions – notably in nations like Greece and Spain and in countries who are keen to make membership applications to the EU.

Contrary to Mr Clark's opinions, the often unseen activities of the European Union ensure money spent in Europe is money spent on our own services.

It is time to see the opportunities inherent in EU membership.

Too many people seem preoccupied in a perceived threat to our sovereignty. A glance at a list of states enthusiastically participating in EU membership makes it clear that many countries that spent a great deal of the 20th century struggling for freedom view the EU as a means of securing sovereignty and freedom.