David Cameron’s battle over EU reforms casts him in an unedifying light

SIR – Whatever deal David Cameron believed he could secure with leaders of the European Union, it was an unedifying spectacle to witness a British Prime Minister haggling through the night, in an attempt to tweak what amounts to the addenda in the life of a great nation.

Paul Harrison

Terling, Essex

SIR – That 80 FTSE 100 firms are in favour of staying in the EU (report, February 19) shows what a narrow agenda they follow. There is far more at stake than company profits.

Huw Wynne-Griffith

London W8

SIR – Whatever the final effects of David Cameron’s negotiations, no one could deny his sheer determination and energy. He was doing his utmost for this country in unique circumstances.

Just imagine Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn being in the same position.

David Orfeur

London N21

SIR – Mr Corbyn has gone on record as stating that Labour supports continued membership of the EU, as it protects workers’ jobs and wages.

Yet on Thursday, while talking about the proposed “emergency brake” he said: “There is no evidence that it will act as a brake on inward migration. And it will not put a penny into the pockets of workers in Britain or stop the undercutting of UK wages by the exploitation of migrant workers.”

It would appear that Mr Corbyn wants to have his cake and eat it, too.

Eddie Hooper

Gravesend, Kent

SIR – I am surprised that in the current debate, no one has thought to mention that in March 1999 the entire European Commission was forced to resign in the wake of a damning report exposing mismanagement, fraud and corruption at the highest levels.

Following a botched attempt at a cover-up, a whistleblower at the Commission revealed that staff had been instructed to do everything they could to obstruct an official investigation by the auditors.

If we remain in the EU, can we expect similar levels of financial probity?

Philip Davies

London NW1

SIR – Once again we have had the spectacle of “all-night negotiations” in Brussels on matters of vital interest.

The European Working Time Directive was introduced to prevent overtired workers making errors.

Shouldn’t the directive apply to the masters as well as the servants?

Dr John Doherty

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

SIR – My local supermarket is offering a saving on “Be Good To Yourself ” Brussels pâté, with 30 per cent less fat.

However, there is no indication whether the reduction in fat is a temporary or permanent one.

Adrian Buck

Wantage, Oxfordshire