EUROPE: MUCH of the argument over the euro and our role in Europe has been about economics, whereas the reality at its heart is not economic at all but ethical.

And ethically speaking, I would say the facts have been staring us in the face for years. Like the devastation of our coastal fishing communities, like the cumulative disaster of the common agricultural policy, and of course there are others, equally as obvious.

Considered thus, the question becomes straightforward, as do its answers: no, we shouldn't join the euro and yes, we need to exit from the EU, before it does us yet further irreversible harm. - Tony Kelly, Crook.

COUNCILLOR Anderson gave a wonderful example of how panic sets in when all reasonable argument has been lost (HAS, May 10).

Little Englanders, xenophobic, once again these epithets are used to dismiss anyone who dares to challenge the surrender of our nationhood and parliamentary democracy by political integration into an EU superstate.

Even the most craven europhile, Neil Kinnock, admitted that staying out of the euro and even withdrawal from the EU altogether would not result in any significant job losses, in the short or long term.

Why then does Coun Anderson repeat this totally discredited nonsense, if not to raise undue alarm to advance a lost argument?

I disagree with Mr Kinnock, however. There would be job losses. The endless layers of jobsworths and useless bureaucrats that proliferate in organisations such as OneNorthEast, NE in Europe and their off-shoots too numerous to mention would all be out on their ear when Britain withdraws from the malevolent, corrupt European Union altogether.

Not many tears will be shed when this particular gravy train is derailed. - Dave Pascoe, Press Secretary, UK Independence Party, Hartlepool.

EDUCATION

I HAVE to disagree with Sharon Griffiths over her description of schools in the 1950s (Echo, May 7).

Her word picture of what children endured may have some truth in regards to earlier decades, but generally, by the 1950s, things were not as horrific as she describes, except possibly for the desks generally being arranged in rows facing the front.

Yes, classes were large, but the biggest difference between then and now was discipline. The cane was used, but in most schools only sparingly. The bleak description of teachers whacking their pupils for little cause only held true in a very few schools. In most cases the mere threat of the possibility of being caned was sufficient to ensure the majority of children behaved. Children were taught to respect and obey those in authority, not given a list of their rights.

Memory can do strange things - unless Ms Griffiths was unfortunate enough to know or attend a school that was very much behind the times and was indeed the way she describes. - E Moralee, Billingham.

FOOTBALL STRESS

IT was interesting to read the article by Dr Bill Kirkup on football-related stress. However, it is no mystery why women are less affected by home defeat syndrome. We ladies are used to being let down by men, therefore, we are used to disappointment and can handle it better. - Mrs J Watson, Washington.

UNITED NATIONS

AFTER the Second World War the UN was formed to bring peace and stability to the world.

We are now in the 21st century and the word 'democracy' is being bandied about. Is it not time the UN was brought up to date?

At present it still has the five victors of the war practising their power of veto. It does not say because they were the victors of the 20th century that they are the wise nations of the 21st century.

Democracy should be shown not only in Iraq but in the UN, although I can't see that happening as one, if not all, of the five nations would veto the change as they now possess the power and will not surrender to true equality of nations.

No nation should have the power of veto.

The League of Nations failed. I can see the UN failing if it is not brought up to date for the 21st century. - P Manuel, Crook.

COUNCIL ELECTIONS

OPINIONS may vary regarding postal voting, yet it does appear to have stimulated public interest.

Here in Sedgefield Borough Council we have a 'cabinet' administration, membership of which is chosen without due regard to public opinion.

In the interests of true democracy shouldn't the ballot box decide who sits in this cabinet.

Those who have topped the poll in their respective wards, thus the people's choice, should have an automatic right to be part of any cabinet decision-making rather than the 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' system so blatantly practice in local government. - AW Dunn, Spennymoor.

PETER REID

LEEDS United have made a huge mistake in appointing former Peter Reid as their new permanent manager.

Reid, after initially doing good work at Sunderland, went totally off the rails, selling a host of decent British professionals (Chris Makin, Alex Rae, Don Hutchison, Nicky Summerbee, Michael Bridges, Allan Johnston etc) and spending millions trying (hopelessly) to replace them with multi-million pound foreign misfits.

At Sunderland Reid sold a host of good players after alleged personality clashes and the football ended up being drab and totally uninspiring after the halcyon days of two seventh-placed Premiership finishes in 1999-2000.

We've just been relegated as the worst Premiership side of all time (19 points) and guess who was responsible for signing the players who helped take us down? - Gerard Harrison, Sunderland.