RM ROBINSON (D&S Times, Dec 2) correctly notes that in the past, the UK was a leader in social reform, citing the Factories Act, old age pensions and the NHS as examples of this.

However, he then goes on to suggest that the continued improvements seen over recent years have been unconnected to our EU membership.

This is not the case and the EU Working Time Directive is a clear example of this, giving as it did, millions of zero hour contract workers in the UK the legal right to paid annual leave for the very first time.

The fact that our government was able to exercise an opt out from parts of this directive also blows apart his assertion that the EU has imposed a one-size-fits-all approach on all member countries.

The European Parliament is elected by the citizens of all member states on a far more representational basis than our own Parliament, and EU Commissioners are appointed by our own government and those of other member states.

How is this in any way undemocratic, particularly when we accept that our own House of Lords is completely unelected?

The EU has no army and important though NATO was (and still is), it was the joining of the EU by former eastern block countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic and Croatia that brought those impoverished countries prosperity and peace.

Free movement of labour and the migration of people from places like Poland to work in this country on a permanent, but mostly temporary basis, has also been positive for the UK, as it was in the Second World War when Polish RAF crews fought alongside British pilots.

RM Robinson insults those who are advocating a full scrutiny of the terms of invoking Article 50 by our own elected representatives in the Westminster Parliament by calling us “Remoaners”, yet all we are saying is let’s be sure which way we a heading. Let’s have an open and honest debate about what the options for leaving the EU actually look like.

Sadly it seems as through the Government’s approach to Brexit is as much of a mystery today as it was on the morning of the June 24.

As a Remainder, I’d be the very last person to suggest that the EU is perfect, nor would I deny that the economic problems of countries like Greece are anything other than very serious. However, although I believe in the inventiveness and innovation of the UK just as much as RM Robinson does, I believe our future prosperity is also dependent on co-operation and partnership with the rest of Europe.

Dr Andrew Newens, Darlington