UK should not be allowed to evade financial obligations to EU based on history

Several correspondents have written to The Scotsman objecting to the European Parliament’s insistence that the UK should fulfil its financial obligations before we walk away.

Their objections are based on our prominent role in the Second World War, while other countries, including France and Spain, are accused of doing nothing but sitting back and awaiting the outcome of the war. The truth is rather different. In the 1930s Spain was engaged in a vicious civil war between right-wing Nationalist and left-wing Republican parties. It was in this country that the first aerial bombing of civilians in history took place, on 26 April 1937, when the village of Guernica was totally destroyed in an air attack by the German Luftwaffe.

This served two purposes: to help General Franco defeat the left-wing government, and as a rehearsal for Germany’s later blitzkrieg in Europe. Approximately 1,650 civilians were slaughtered. The British Government chose not to intervene following this atrocity.

Germany began its conquest of Europe shortly afterwards. We did not suffer the fate of France, where thousands of citizens were taken into forced labour by the Nazis, who also murdered hundreds of French men, women and children, including 642 in the village of Oradour-sur-glane.

The French Resistance played a vital role in helping the Allies gain success in Western Europe. They most certainly did not sit back and accept their country’s fate.

We became members of this economic and political union because we recognised its value. Our military aid during the war was then, and is now, fully acknowledged and greatly appreciated by the French people. Should we be allowed to renege on our current financial obligations because of historic events? CAROLYN TAYLOR Gagiebank, Wellbank Broughty Ferry, Dundee As the Greeks have learned to their extreme cost it is almost impossible to deal satisfactorily with the EU bureaucrats. The goalposts are shifted daily; demands become ever more extreme; yesterday’s agreements are denied and deliberate leaks pollute negotiations, as we have just been reminded.

Brexit is a huge threat to EU staffers. Leavers must be severely punished so as to discourage imitators. Thus impartiality and accuracy (if not also truth) are amongst the first casualties in the bargaining. The absurd £100 billion debt threat is just the latest example. A different approach to dealing with the EU is required.

I suggest that Theresa May should no longer bother with her inferiors, the EU monkeys (unelected EU bureaucrats) and instead negotiate with her equals, the EU organ grinders (the elected national leaders). When that happens reason (“It’s the economy, stupid!”) will lead to a mutually agreeable conclusion.

TIM FLINN Garvald, East Lothian