EU countries were not compelled to sign up

THE letter from Mr MJ Radnedge is, I am afraid, typical of the misinformation spread by “leavers” about the EU – misinformation of the kind that, I suspect, contributed towards the vote to leave.

I venture to suggest that this is why so many people who voted remain find it difficult to stay silent, albeit there is little that can be done now but make the best of it.

For the record, however, there is nothing in EU law that compelled countries to sign up to the EU

Covid vaccine scheme. All 27 did so voluntarily. They were not “shackled” by EU rules and regulations. Hungary even ordered an additional supply of the Russian Sputnik-V vaccine. No EU regulation prevented it so doing.

There is no doubt that the EU got itself into a muddle over Covid vaccines and let down its member states badly. It was roundly and rightly criticised for these failings.

Credit where credit is due, the UK did much better. The vaccine programme here continues to be the one conspicuous success arising from the Government’s otherwise disastrous response to the pandemic.

The EU president has at least had the honesty to admit the mistakes that were made.

Will the British people hear a similar admission when our Government’s otherwise lack-lustre performance is reviewed?

PJ Knowles

Taunton