WITHIN the United Kingdom England has had a sovereign parliament for over 700 years which slowly but surely created a democracy which despite its flaws has been the envy of the world.

For just over 40 of those hundreds of years we have been part of the Common Market, now the European Union. Despite the relatively few years of our membership of the EU the democracy that our ancestors fought for has been eroded, and decisions that affect us all are taken largely by a remote bureaucracy, over which we as individuals have no real control.

What amazes me is that after those mere 40 or so years of membership there are adults in our country who seem terrified to let go of mummy EU's hand.

Those who in a panic cling to the EU put forward what they term 'arguments' for remaining, but which are nothing but their own fears at the thought of standing on our own two feet again.

I prefer to have confidence in my compatriots that we can be again a successful sovereign democracy and make our own decisions about the future.

I do not share the pessimism and fears of the Remain camp.

Richard Samways

Albert Terrace

Portland