SIR – David Cameron’s decision to concede demands from the right-wing of the Conservative Party and UKIP for a referendum on our membership of the European Union diminishes him as a statesman.
It reduces him to a weak politician who would put his party before the interests of the country.
Pledging a renegotiation of our terms of membership in 2017 followed by an in/out referendum is a hollow and unachievable tactic.
Firstly, he has to win the next general election which is unlikely.
Then he has to present his new terms of membership which most other member states would not entertain.
Many states do not want the sort of Thatcherite EU that Cameron hankers after.
They prefer investing in the welfare of their peoples which has been so successful for the Scandinavian, north European and French economies.
Then he has to decide whether he wants in or out depending on what, if any, concessions the EU will make.
Meanwhile, inward investors to the UK will become hesitant until our status has been settled between now and 2017.
Hardly a good policy for improving the economy.
Cameron, in short, wants to destroy the European social model in favour of the US model of markets and business interests at the expense of the welfare of the European peoples. He will not succeed.
Peter Nielsen
Worcester
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