Before we all head for the EU exit door, stampeded by UKIP and the right of the Conservative Party, perhaps voters in Bridport and West Dorset might consider some facts.

First, the European Regional Development Fund, introduced by Britain in 1972, has invested millions in projects throughout the UK-including many here in the south west.

Additionally, the European Growth Fund, has helped grow the British economy to the tune of £3.2billion in recent years and in so doing has created 86,000 jobs.

We hear so much about inward immigration into Britain from other EU states from the right: but what about outward emigration from our shores to mainland Europe – families bettering themselves in France, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Italy?

Make no mistake that free market Eurosceptics would dearly love to remove the various legislation generated by the EU to protect workers from exploitative employers throughout member states.

And what of EU co-operation to bring criminals to justice?

In all honesty it’s not ‘foreigners’ in our communities that worry me.

It’s the small-minded ‘Little Englanders’ in the Tory right and UKIP who are hell bent on returning us all to the dreadful parochialism of these islands in the 1950s – that’s who disturb my peace of mind.

I can’t wait to expose their ill-informed opinions in a proper debate if it comes to an ‘in-out’ referendum.

Bring on an open and accessible to the voting public battle.

It’s high time that the British public put away their right-wing tabloid comics and joined in an informed discussion about membership of the European Union.

Richard Denton-White

Portland

Dorset