Sir – From the evidence of your report on the great Darwin debate re-run, (Feature, February 19), those in search of some public controversy and knockabout debate would have done better going to the European Movement’s Any Questions-type panel show in Oxford last Friday.

Five European Parliament candidates from each of the main parties faced a capacity audience in the large theatre at the Maison Française, Norham Road.

Keeping order and selecting the questions was Lord Hurd of Westwell, the former MP for Witney, who contributed many fascinating comments about his experiences as British Foreign Secretary trying to make things happen at the European level.

If the quality of campaigning in the European elections continues at this level, then we are in for a treat.

These candidates showed themselves to be intelligent, well-informed, strongly motivated to serve what they deem to be our national interests, and able to speak entertainingly and pungently on a range of topics. They were: Richard Ashworth (Conservative), Catherine Bearder (Lib Dem), Janet Sully (Labour), Philip Vander Elst (UKIP) and Derek Wall (Green).

Some have asked us whether the Oxfordshire Branch of the European Movement would like to organise further events of this type, in other parts of the county, during the election period. Do any of your readers have a specific offer of a venue and a date?

Alan Armitage, Chairman, Oxfordshire Branch, European Movement, Oxford