WE are starting to hear and read more about a possible referendum to get the UK out of Europe, with the latest I heard citing how much we would lose in trade if we pulled out.

I can't for one minute see companies that are currently trading, are going to suddenly stop dealing with each other just because we leave.

The French won't like it because we add in to the pot that subsidises their farmers, they only agreed to let us in because of that.

The thing is, it isn’t the trade side of things that causes so much irritation amongst the ordinary working population.

Also, I am unsure what we actually get in the way of benefits from being in Europe.

I watched a programme on the BBC in which it was pointed out that the majority of household goods cost a lot more in the UK than in Europe.

Toiletries, half as much in France, clothing 30% less in Spain and furniture cheaper to hire a van abroad and drive it back than buy it here?

Still, the things that rankle most, are the billions paid into the EU pot that would be better spent here on us.

Plus the meddling in our affairs by Brussels, when they should have no say in the running of our country.

After all, when my parents were asked to vote it was on a European common market; a trade agreement is what it was touted as in the hype and political flim-flam.

The doubters cited the all the negatives that we seem to now have.

But alas, people in those days had a greater belief and trust in the politicians and newspapers so the vote was 67% yes.

What the average man in the street wants, is to live in a country that makes its own rules and looks after its own people.

Eddie Dicker

Bolton