Letter to the Editor: Fifty years on – it’s EU v U

From Mr Zaki Cooper

Sir, Your editorial (“Looking her age,” March 20) claims that at the age of 50 the EU is “overweight and badly dressed”, but the UK’s role in this should not be overlooked. The EU’s current complexion has been largely influenced by UK thinking. Both the present Government and John Major’s have supported the policy of enlargement to encompass Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. And the European Commission’s adoption of liberal thinking on issues such as the single market and competition has again been largely influenced by the UK.

If we want to consider why the EU is “overweight and badly dressed”, we should consider that the UK is feeding and dressing Europe.

ZAKI COOPER
Director Business for New Europe