Where has the honest debate about the EU gone?

It is worrying that leading individuals of the EU referendum debate are increasingly abusive; accusing one another about dishonest or misleading information rather than honest discussion. It suggests our politicians are not of an adequate calibre to enable the UK to negotiate the necessary changes to the EU to meet the requirements David Cameron has put as preconditions for continuing membership. It is clear to everyone that the EU has problems and is unsustainable unless it is reformed. The obvious answer is for the UK to get out of the EU before it implodes with all the associated troubles.

J Longstaff

Buxted

The daily edition of The Independent recently published three incisive articles by the original editor of the paper, Andreas Whittam-Smith. Over the years I have come to respect the thoughts of Whittam-Smith and towards the end of the third article had finally decided, based on historic facts, that a Leave vote was the only way to bring this nonsense to an end. Then disappointingly, he writes, 'with a heavy heart,' despite all its faults he will vote remain.

I, however, will be brave enough to vote for what is right.

Graham Barlow

Wirral

As I look at the "debate" on the EU referendum, I see it being led by people who are supposed to have received this country's finest education. Yet they are unable to raise a single coherent argument based on a fact. It seems that elitist posturing and self-interest seem to be the only motives for the "arguments" put forward.

Phil Rolandi

Address unknown

The Independent has given little coverage to left-wing perspectives on the referendum. The Communist Party of Great Britain (which opposes plebiscitary democracy as a Bonapartist tool to exclude the masses) calls for a boycott of the "inherently anti-democratic" referendum. In advocating a Brexit, the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist) quotes Lenin: "a union of imperialist states can only be a reactionary entity – and it can’t last". The Belfast-based Northern Area Committee of the Communist Party of Ireland sets itself in opposition to the combined forces of international capitalism, including the World Bank, IMF, multinationals, the US and the European Central Bank who constitute the “Remain Club”, in supporting a "left exit campaign – a Lexit!"

Dr John Doherty

Address unknown

I am now starting to have real concerns that, whoever wins the forthcoming referendum, the losing side will be left with a deep and perhaps inconsolable resentment. Whilst the 1975 vote was held following a vigorous and well-argued debate which focused mainly, if not exclusively, upon the economic benefits of us remaining in the common market, the result was - for the most part - accepted with good grace. This time round, the whole argument has become downright rough and dirty. If we vote to stay in, there will be millions who will carry with them, perhaps for a generation, a deep resentment about current and further immigration. If we decide to leave, there will be millions who will blame all future economic ills, whatever their cause, on those who wrenched us away from the security of the EU.

The legacy that the leaders of both sides will bequeath to us after their shabby campaigns is a divided nation. They should remember how history shows us that whoever wins a civil war, the nature of the conflict ensures that the losers never trust or respect the winners again. I for one will never forgive them for it.

Colin Burke

Manchester

There really is no place in an advanced economy for the so called zero hours contract. In reality, it is an abuse of workers’ right used by employers. This practice by its very nature places very little value on an employee’s status and as we have seen can lead to further abuse in the workplace. Mr Wright and his parliamentary committee should reconsider their ‘holier than thou’ attitude to Mr Ashley and instead address the real issue: Parliament allowing the practice in the first place.

John Barron

Burton

What a major step Norway is taking to control pollution! A real good news story that shows what we can achieve if we have the will. It is fair to mention that although Norway is a major oil producer, it derives a lot of its electricity from hydro-electric power. The move by Norway is therefore sustainable and is to be welcomed.

Martin Rayner

Address unknown