THE political leaders on both sides of the referendum debate let the electorate down with their sometimes outrageous claims of what the UK pays to the EU.
To set the record straight, our contribution is made up mostly of one per cent of our GDP, which works out at £350m per week for this year.
However, our economy was so strong in 1984, and therefore our contribution so high compared to other countries, Margaret Thatcher managed to negotiate a rebate calculated by a complex formula based on VAT, exchange rate between the pound and euro and other things which this year reduces our contribution to around £250m per week.
This rebate expires in 2020 and the other 27 countries in the EU have said there is no way they will allow any rebate after that, so the argument that if we remained the weekly £350m contribution was valid but of course no one spelled this out.
Since the chancellor said that the GDP is rising faster now we will have to pay more next year anyway while we drag our feet getting out.
Donald Trump, although he may be a flawed politician, is an astute businessman and will make exiting the US/Pacific trade deal his first action on taking over as he knows trade deals are designed to restrict trade to club members and do not expand trade which is what we need.
ROBERT WHITWORTH Occupation Lane Oakworth
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here