Eurosceptics criticise existing EU policies but give no clear indication of the kind of policies they think this country should pursue if it were to withdraw from the EU.
Paul Campel, for example, (Your say, August 23) claims that the Common Agricultural Policy has been a disaster, but he does not tell us anything about the kind of agricultural policy he thinks we should adopt if we were to withdraw from the EU.
Agriculture throughout Europe is flourishing although the levy on cheaper imports is a problem but on the whole the policy has worked well.
It has been particularly successful in ensuring the survival of the French peasant farmers and the UK hill farmers in areas such as the Peak National Park, thereby preserving the cultural identity of our two countries.
The policy has also made it easy for UK farmers to emigrate to France – along with the hundreds of thousands of other "naive" UK citizens who emigrate to France and Spain for a better way of life!
Could Mr Campel also explain why he believes that, if Scotland and Wales were to become independent states, it would be in England's best interests to withdraw from the EU and "pull up the drawbridge." Does he believe our crime levels, our pitiful state pensions, our failing health service, and our general standard of living would all improve to levels approaching the rest of Europe if we were to withdraw?
Lastly, I would like to know why Mr Campel thinks if we are European in our outlook, we must have lived sheltered lives! I don't think I've lived a sheltered life!
Brian Hanwell