FURTHER to Chris Robins’ letter in the Oxford Mail (June 15), it has to be presumed that he refers to the last referendum in 1975. That was 40 years ago!

Nobody under the age of 50 will remember the convolutions surrounding the British entry into the European Union. There are two generations out there who have not been given an opportunity to decide whether membership is good or bad for Britain.

So yes, now is the time for that elusive referendum promised by David Cameron over five years ago. But, in theory, we still have to wait two more years.

Actually, the UK first applied in 1961 for membership. But France’s former wartime leader Charles de Gaulle kept saying “non, non, non” for over a decade. There was a reason for this relating to French agricultural workers. As soon as there were acceptable EU subsidies for them, Monsieur de Gaulle said “oui, oui, oui!”.

Like David Cameron today, Harold Wilson’s 1974 General Election manifesto pledged to renegotiate terms for Britain’s membership, however, the loss of sovereignty was an issue, an important issue, always to be kept quiet. But before then, Edward Heath’s government pushed through the entry in 1972 without a referendum, hence the European Communities Act 1972, which, in effect, needs to be repealed to withdraw from the EU.

The EU issue festered for many years until the Maastricht Treaty was signed in 1992 by John Major – that was when Ukip was born. So, Ukip was, and is still here because of political reasons – and no other reason!

So, yes, once again, a referendum is long, long overdue. But to be fair to the younger generation, we must offer up an honest referendum with a clear choice.

JOHN MADEN
Ukip, Oxford West & Abingdon
Montagu Road
Botley
Oxford