As a constitutional lawyer and proud English patriot who served for five years as a volunteer RAF pilot in World War II, I sympathise with the views on the European Union expressed by Ann Prior and John Kelly.

As a constitutional lawyer and proud English patriot who served for five years as a volunteer RAF pilot in World War II, I sympathise with the views on the European Union expressed by Ann Prior and John Kelly.

However, there is another side to the question.

The reason I support British membership of the EU, despite all the justified objections, is a simple one.

Britain is geographically part of Europe, and shares its culture. That culture, centred on Christianity, has been of tremendous value to the world. It continues to be of tremendous value, but is increasingly threatened by other cultures.

Elements in one of these, the Islamic culture, are attempting to take over other cultures and establish a world Caliphate. Under this, anti-feminist Sharia law would rule the planet. We don't want that.

So I believe it to be of huge importance for the European nations to work together to preserve and cultivate the great European culture and enhance its influence in the world. In order to do this they need to pool their resources and stand as one. That is the true object of the European Union, and I fervently support it.

Francis Bennion,

Coastguard Road,

Budleigh Salterton.