SIR – It is no surprise, but nonetheless a disappointment that Fred Bishop (October 8) did not give a clear answer to my simple question: “How is it that political leaders and governments of all persuasions (supported, in aggregate, by the majority of voters) broadly endorse the EU”, bearing in mind what an appalling thing the anti-EU letter-writers to your column claim it to be?

Instead, he gives us a list of largely irrelevant and apparently unprofessional poll data (allegedly). For instance, if one asks people whether they’d rather pay less for anything, they are not likely to give a no!

I repeat: is it that we are really all ignorant thickoes and/or unpatriotic traitors; or is it that we recognise the value of an institution which tries to recognise what’s best about humanity rather than that which is worst in terms of narrowmindedness, unenlightened self-interest and nitpicking?

The original question was straight, and, again, I would welcome a straight answer from any of the anti-Europe brigade. The apparent suggestion by Mr Bishop that it’s a BBC plot to which everybody is in mesmerised thrall, is, shall we say, somewhat eccentric.

DAVID BARLOW,

Worcester.