Once again, those connected with the EU use simplistic and unrealistic statements to further their cause. Chris Huhne MEP (Letters, October 1) implies that if Britain joined the euro prices would equalise with those on the Continent.

He fails to take account of the higher costs in this country that produce the higher prices for goods, such as higher salaries and more government red tape.

It is typical of the EU and its supporters to try to hoodwink the public by using illogical and childish arguments.

They would much rather make people believe the benefit of a single currency saving us from having to change our money for our holidays far outweighs the risk of, for example, the Italian authorities wrecking their economy and thus forcing the Central European Bank to put up interest rates and, in turn, mortgage rates.

At least if it happened here we could vote out the Government. I challenge anyone in Britain to remove the Italian government or the governor of the Central European Bank in the same circumstances.

The EU was originally set up as a free-trade zone. It has since evolved into an all-controlling beast ruling our laws and our daily lives.

This was not what the British electorate voted for in the early Seventies and we have not been allowed a voice on the changes since.

The euro is our first chance to put a corrupt, costly and undemocratic organisation back in its place.

Failure to vote against the euro will be both the start of the United States of Europe and the final nail in the coffin of British democracy.

-Ian Slater, Mill Rise, Brighton