The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Joining Europe saved us in 1973
SIr, – Charles Gordon (Letters, April 23) would like younger readers to believe the halcyon days of this country ended when we joined the EEC (subsequently the EU). He must have memory loss.
I too am old enough to remember that, on the contrary, in 1973 we had the beginnings of rampant inflation, high unemployment, wage caps, three-day weeks, power cuts, industrial unrest and strikes and a deteriorating current account deficit.
These were the result of our own incompetent politicians and civil servants, as well as the ineffective and complacent management of our industries. This nation’s fortunes were “saved” by an IMF loan, North Sea oil revenues and the benefits of membership of the EEC including its influence in maintaining peace in Europe since World War Two.
Euan Martin, Nursery Cottage,
Banff, Aberdeenshire