I AM very grateful to Dr Andrew Newens (D&S Times, Nov 18) for bringing to our attention – probably for the first time for many people – at least a few of the benefits and advantages Britain would lose by leaving the EU. Others may bring more to our attention over the coming months.

However, unless the seeming rush to Brexit is stopped, the full cost will only be realised after we have left, a loss irreversible for at least a generation.

Even in that event, though, I am convinced that what is left of the UK would eventually rejoin the EU (if allowed to), chastened and very likely much diminished – but at least with the advantage of having finally realised who our real friends are and where our true interests lie.

Perhaps by then, too, we might be less prone to swallow relentless propaganda from a popular national press augmented by a handful of politicians jockeying to become prime minister.

James Leigh, Thornton Watlass, Ripon