'The EU was a good idea at the time, but is now past its sell-by date'

MR Egerton (January 7) asks three questions: (1) does the EU need reform/ (2) should we get a better deal/ (3) should the EU have a better policy regarding economic migrants?

He answers all these questions 'you bet'.

In other words,he considers that all, at the moment, is not OK.

But the questions he poses have been under discussion for the past few months,and the answer has always been the same 'nein',and 'non'.

The whole point is that Germany and France want to keep things exactly as they are, with the ultimate goal of forcing a political union on members.

This was NOT the object when the UK joined the Common Market, as it then was.

Then, joining was to benefit trade, NOT to became part of a United States of Europe.

I am certain that not having to contribute to subsidising inefficient farming on the Continent would offset any trade imbalance.

Most of the UK's money comes from the financial sector, and there is pressure to remove this from London to the Continent.

If a product comes up to the CE standard, why is there any necessity for the producer to be in the EU?

Most electrical and electronic equipment comes from China, and I was not aware of them being part of the EU.

If Mr Egerton is happy to hand total regulation of his business over to Brussels, then obviously he will be happy to stay in the EU.

Other benefits of leaving would be removal of the MEP gravy train, and not having to contribute to the Brussels bureaucrats vast salaries. Our taxes are burdened enough with paying our own MPs' salaries and vast expenses claims.

Like many things,joining the EU was a good idea at the time, but is now past its sell-by date.

David Olliver