Michael Sturdee, of Culver Park Close, Kingsbridge, writes:

Some people are long-term, convinced Eurosceptics, and no arguments will sway them, but last week’s correspondents’ ­letters need a balanced response directed to those who are not sure which way to vote.

Ceri Jayes makes some good points about what we did not vote for in 1975; but that was then, and what we have to decide now is how we should act with the EU as it now is.

I have always been strongly for remaining, but agree that the EU is in a dreadful mess, which has dented my convictions.

Nevertheless, to walk away would almost certainly mean the disintegration of the EU, which would clearly be ­catastrophic for us all.

Many countries in the EU count on the UK as a counterweight to Germany.

Therefore I believe we should vote decisively to remain. We could then exert committed, strong leadership and make sure that the ­direction of travel addresses the objections Val Gibbons rightly refers to as being held virtually throughout the EU.

The sorry state of the EU is largely because of Britain’s ­tendency to remain on the ­outside and shout abuse, rather than being constructive round the table.

A new arrangement, pushed hard by the UK, may even lead to something like a simple free-trade zone. We should at least try, as there would be no chance if we left.

Just for the record, the EU is actually run by the Council of Ministers – ie prime ministers of member states – not by Brussels bureaucrats, who do what they are told, just as civil servants do in the UK.

There are lies, big lies… and statistics, and we all choose to quote those that match our own ideas, so I am quoting none.

There are more serious ­reasons to stay in than visiting friends in Spain etc.

For a start, the world is a dangerous place just now, and being in the EU strengthens our voice in the world – remember, ourselves and France are the EU leaders on foreign policy.

Threats include: Isis/Daesh; the rush of traumatised migrants, which will not ease anytime soon; and Putin ­hammering at the Eastern European nations’ doors.

In addition, there is a serious risk that we shall not be able to negotiate to keep our EU access for trade, and China and other trading nations will have

no interest in negotiating a ­separate trading deal with us.

Many outside countries, including the US, Japan and South Korea, only invest in the UK for our access to the EU, and may withdraw.

Also, there would certainly be a long and damaging period of extreme instability while our new status is negotiated. It is not just the prime minister who says this.

Do we really want to take those risks?