Liberals standing firm for a vote to Remain

The Editor asks whether as liberals or democrats we are wavering on Europe (Letter from the Editor, 27 February)? Not wavering but wondering what might have been.

It is now widely accepted that eurozone countries will have to move to closer union and there will inevitably be a twin-track Europe. A British statesman might therefore have led supporters both within and outside the eurozone in a genuine reform process to institute those twin tracks – without the threat of a referendum. Such a positive strategy might have finessed the opposition within the Conservative Party and given us europhiles something positive to work for.

As it is we have only Cameron’s ridiculous bit of paper, an unresolved eurozone position, the collapse of Shengen and the threat of an even worse refugee crisis to coincide with the referendum in June. No wonder some might be wavering! Brian G Mitchell Cambridge In your editorial of 27 February you invite liberals to consider whether David Owen may be right in supporting the departure of Britain from the European Union. The answer must be a resounding No. The retreat of the little Englanders into an island fortress is a profoundly illiberal idea.

The idea that we should cut ourselves adrift from Europe to control our borders is bizarre. We have control of our borders. We are not part of Schengen. Everyone entering or departing from Britain is subject to passport control, where those on watch lists can be identified. Further, our membership of the EU and the existence of the European arrest warrant assist security. Indeed even within Schengen, as we are now learning, countries have the right to reimpose border checks.

If by gaining control of our borders you are referring to controlling immigration then, again, this is a profoundly illiberal approach. Only around half our net immigration is accounted for by EU citizens, the remainder are non-EU citizens, who are not impacted by our membership of the EU.

In spite of, and arguably because of, positive net immigration, unemployment has been falling and real wages rising. Migration brings people with drive and dynamism. People come here from the EU because there are jobs, because of the flexibility of our labour market and they are net contributors to our economy. The wish to reduce immigration is fuelled by xenophobia rather than any rational view of our economy.

Let us also not forget that the same freedom of movement within Europe allows us and our children to freely work in other European countries, something we are denied in countries outside the EU. George Lodge South Wraxall, Wiltshire Amol Rajan (Letter from the Editor, 27 February) has got it wrong. Liberals and democrats may well be wavering over which way to vote in the referendum. Former liberals and democrats such as David Owen or Frank Field deciding to back Brexit is unlikely to swing us to join their cause.

Frankly, when people such as Michael “vote No to vote Yes” Howard, Messrs Owen and Field join some of the most illiberal part of the Tory party, Ukippers and George Galloway in the Brexit camp it simply stiffens my resolve to say Yes. Christine Wright London E1 The answer to your question is no, I do not see me moving towards an exit vote, although I am disturbed by the number of former immigrants I know, originally from outside the EU, who seem to think that leaving is a good idea.

We’ve got all the connections and arrangements, free, and we aren’t locked into the euro; I can’t see how it gets any better. (Cameron’s fiddling with benefits impresses me not at all, by the way.) Cole Davis London NW2