The UK’s future: in or out of the EU. By far the most important issue of the General Election.

Health versus wealth. Once again two of the key issues dominating the rhetoric between Labour and the Conservatives.

Important? Obviously but then so are many other policies such as education, house building, immigration, law and order, global warming and employment.

Our political system calls for a General Election every five years or sooner, if required, giving us the opportunity to elect a new government. That is British democracy and has been for 750 years.

We also have an army of civil servants to advise and guide our MPs.

In other words, we can control our own destiny. If, however, we remain in the EU we cannot.

I feel that unless an EU referendum is held before the end of 2015 our permanent, full membership of the EU will be absolute and permanent.

It would appear that the majority of the electorate want a referendum to decide one way or the other, so why do all the party leaders – bar one – say they would fight for Britain to stay in the EU?

Unless we know: a) Whether the EU or our own democratically elected MPs are going to govern us in the future, and b) Just what is the true state of the economy, then no long-term policies can be formulated.

Harvey Carter, Lower Darwen (via email)