THE EU is very far from perfect but it remains a wonderful and fragile project that has been a great vehicle for lifting poorer regions and countries out of poverty, improving their justice systems, strengthening their democracy and promoting peaceful co-existence. This is a long term costly business and one which is in the interests of everyone, including Britain. In economic terms it is investment in our own future, developing markets and helping create stability and growth elsewhere which will result in a reduced stimulus to migration in the longer term.

Too much immigration is a troubling issue, but it will not be solved by leaving the EU. Firstly, we need to get the figures right. The estimates made by the Office for National Statistics confirm that slightly more non-EU citizens (187,000) came here in 2015 than EU citizens (184,000). We have “control” over non-EU immigration already yet it remains high.

If we leave the EU we will have to re-negotiate a trade deal with the EU. If we want to be part of the single market, it is almost certain that we will have to accept the existing principles of the free movement of goods and services, capital and labour (like Norway which is not in the EU). And like Norway, we will have to pay to join the single market and abide by its laws.

The Leave campaign’s cavalier attitude to Europe risks destabilising the whole region at a time when acting together on the big issues, and restraining militant nationalism, could hardly be more important for Europe and the world. The Brexit debate is already an unwelcome and time-consuming additional burden to our European partners. Let it not become a betrayal.

Polls tell us that 18-34s are most in favour of remaining in Europe (what a shame 16 and 17 year olds are denied a vote). They will have to live with the consequences far longer than the rest of us. They are more in tune with the realities of our changing world, including the worldwide web. I suspect they are more at home with ethnic and cultural diversity. They are more international in outlook. I sense they are more hopeful for the future, but they know that the problems they will face in the next 50 years will take sustained international co-operation to solve. In my view this is best achieved by staying in the EU.

Graham Buttanshaw

The Vicarage

Otley