Europe and the dreamers
Sir: To read Norman Henry's letter (July 7) one might be forgiven for thinking the year Was 1964 not 1973, and that we were-standing on the eve of the "white hot 'technological revolution," "the 100 dynamic days," and "the building of the New Britain." He should be reminded that the year is 1973; that Mr Wilson and his Government were rejected by the electorate in 1970 for their incompetence, for their " gimmicky government " and equivocation on practically every issue. They were six wasted years.
:Like others he makeS too much of thd fact that the decision to join Europe was taken by Parliathent and not by "the ballot box and free vote of the British people." From my wide contacts I have only met two people who read and studied the White Paper giving the case for entry and this disinterestedness by the population • should surely not be the basis for a decision of this nature. He should also bear in mind that supporters of our entry into EEC are no less patriotic; many fought in our services and suffered losses of family and friends.
Our society has to have a party to shelter dreamers who do not want to face the realities of the UK position in 1973 and the Labour Party rich in words and impractical dreams is probably the home for Mr Henry. What ardent support they will have from one so uncertain of nationalisation, and who is "so despairing, so reluctant and so watchful."
As for Mr Antony Lejeune and the homeless Conservatives, all they have to do is to see the Heath Government and its actions against the problems of our time and not of yesteryear. They will then come home to the Conservative Party and help preserve us from another period of pointless, no growth Labour rule.
Gordon Bingham 34 Thorpe Avenue, Peterborough
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