Circling vultures

THE economies of the world’s richest countries are based on manufacturing. But when one of Britain’s largest engineering companies is circled by vultures, all we get from the Prime Minister is the usual empty promise about blocking such a takeover.

We have already allowed our largest technology company to fall into foreign ownership, along with most of our utilities, and it is only luck that the London Stock Exchange isn’t in the hands of the Germans.

That’s the main reason why I voted to leave the EU: we would have just continued with this madness, while being held back by the inward and protectionist EU.

Where our future looked dire, finally leaving the EU will give this country a well-needed kick up the backside. We will be forced to think about our own interests for a change rather than benefiting others.

JOHN EVANS, Wokingham, Berks. BEFORE the EU thinks up even more customs problems for the UK, they should bounce their ideas off German car firms and the French wine industry.

Even a small drop in sales in these vital industries would result in redundancies, and their national governments would suffer a huge fall in tax revenue. Component suppliers

— from silencers to corks — would go to the wall. It’s time the petulant EU recognised that Europe sells much more to the UK than we do to them. NEVILLE BAMBER, Sicklinghall, N. Yorks.