EU was a lifeline in the early 1970s

Re Carol Day’s thoughtprovoking letter ( WMN,

October 8) in which she happily states that ‘we did well before we joined the EU and that when we leave we will do very well indeed! Therefore, we should give

Mrs May all the support we can.’

Well, I do agree that Mrs May should be supported, but the only reason I would support her is that at heart she is a remainer and that Brexit under Mrs May would be so diluted as to be not worth the trouble.

As for Britain doing well before we joined the EU; well, I was there, and my woeful reflections are first-hand. In the early 70s, Britain was the sick man of Europe; we were bankrupt and cap in hand to the IMF.

We could not cobble together a decent family car; streets were cluttered with rubbish and there were petrol queues for a couple of gallons. The dead were also queuing for burial; strikes at the drop of a hat; huge unemployment and of course, let’s not forget the IRA which was bombing our cities with impunity. Add to that rampant inflation and you have the glorious 70s that Carol Day thinks were thoroughly good times.

Since joining the EU, Britain has flourished; it has become great again. This country has prospered to the extent that it has joined other major powers of the world. It has a seat at the top

European tables and likewise the world’s leading agencies. To quote the amazing Harold Macmillan: “You’ve never had it so good” and that rings so true.

So, Carol Day thinks we would be better off outside the EU. That we will manage just fine. I would like to join her in Xanadu, in her special La-La Land, where magic money trees grow laden with solid gold conkers to be gathered.

I say remember your history, not just the good bits, and be very careful; very wary, of what lies ahead. Remember, we’ve never had it so good. Don’t spin spoil it.

Nicholas Michael Charalambous

Ilfracombe