10/06/04

All the benefits listed in his second paragraph could have been achieved independently of Brussels/Strasbourg bureaucrats.

Perhaps Dr Adam is telling us that New Labour would not have legislated for all the matters he itemises without pressure from across the Channel. Some advertisement for a party which Mr Blair boasts is committed to modernisation.

Like all your pro-EU contributors, Dr Adam is clutching at any straw in an attempt to hide the futility of being run by a load of interfering career bureaucrats remote from the real problems of the UK.

Countries outside the EU, like Norway, are pretty socially aware without being told what to do by Brussels.

The financial arguments too are phony. We pay out a lot more than we get back and now poorer East European countries are members, we shall get even less. So areas like the North-East can expect to get less by way of financial help in the future. What a prospect. - RK Bradley, Darlington.

SPEED CAMERAS

I WOULD like to reply to J Bell (HAS, June 4). Firstly, The Northern Echo is not campaigning either for or against speed cameras, but printing letters from both views fairly.

J Bell then goes on to say if he broke the law he should pay for it. Quite rightly so, but so should the Middlesbrough police officer who was let off and the two police officers who got off through wrong speeding signs.

As he quite rightly states, the whole situation needs addressing.

If something like this can influence politicians it must be telling them something is wrong with the whole system.

If this means whingers such as myself continue writing until there is something resembling fairness for all, so be it.

He should ask some of the relatives of people who have been killed and injured by speeding police cars and other services, even with their lights flashing, if they should have an exemption certificate to speed.

When he speaks of the rule of law this has to be adhered to by all, not just some. He then goes on to say speeding is ingrained. This is quite wrong because I have been driving 45 years without an accident and the only speeding ticket I got was when I was ill in bed and was not driving the car, but could not prove it because my car was available to at least half a dozen relatives during a family crisis. - A McKimm, Crook.

FOOTBALL

IN this historic week it was very moving to see so many of our younger generation flying the flag for all our brave, courageous young men who gave their lives for us, but I was left feeling very angry and sad.

All those flags flying from every other car were in support of a football game.

I don't suppose those good old veterans would be too bothered. They are too self-effacing and modest about the vital part they played. We should make the most of them while they are still here. We will never see their like again.

How can anyone equate this happening with a game of football? Shame on them. - Mary Burnside, Darlington.

THE Sunday Mirror, and other papers, gave pride of place to the commemorative services on the beaches of Normandy.

Soon most of these worthy men and women will be gone, and it is to be hoped their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

I turned a few pages to find further lurid stories about David Beckham, the overrated, overpaid captain of the England football team.

The Scottish team don't win many games, but for certain they would never have a person like Beckham as captain.

Is there no honour left in the management of the English team?

I had the honour to be captain of the Scottish Schools team in 1947 and we were taught to be upright on the field and off it. Changed days.

Thank goodness those of use old enough to remember Bobby Moore and the wonderful example he displayed on the field and off it. - Hugh Pender, Darlington.

I READ (Echo, June 5) that the Darlington Supporters Trust is thinking of investing the £55,000 raised by the supporters' donations to buy shares in the football club.

Surely this money was raised to help save the club, not to buy shares or a seat on the board for the Supporters' Club Trust, who have just appeared on the scene over the last two years, unlike the Darlington Supporters' Club who have been around for decades raising money to help the club.

I think that the £55,000 should be given to David Hodgson to help him buy better players to help get Darlington out of Division Three. - Colin Bellwood, Darlington.

BANK HOLIDAYS

I AGREE 100 per cent with FM Atkinson on the subject of Bank Holidays. They have long outlived the purpose in this modern age.

Bus services, TV schedules and council workers' rotas suffer. In short, they are nothing but a general pain.

Even the weather is usually worse than a normal Monday. - Eric Carter, Redcar.

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

THE European elections this week must not be confused with the proposed establishment of an elected regional assembly, although some of the candidates for the former would like you to believe that the two issues are closely and inextricably linked.

You can vote UKIP and still support the establishment of a regional assembly. This would be entirely consistent with the current mood of the North-East and indeed most of the country, which has become disenchanted with the Westminster government of Mr Blair and the antics of the European Commission and Parliament.

Don't be led into believing those who wish you to forfeit your right to self-government because by having the courage to do so, you'd be delivering us into the hands of the EU. It simply isn't true. - David Lacey, Newton Hall.