IT IS a credit to you that you publish letters from those who support the aims, and more to the point the objectives, of the UK Independence Party: There are many who would like to see our views suppressed.

Sadly, but like so many people, Mr Kershaw (Postbag, September 7) misses the point entirely. But I am grateful to him for quoting Edith Cavell and I will use those words in future. For not only do we say that patriotism is not enough, we have no hatred or bitterness toward anyone.

We certainly have no dislike of our European neighbours. I say this whilst sending this letter by e-mail from my second home in France, where I find the French some of the most friendly, caring, honest and generous people I have ever had the good fortune to meet.

If they, and other Europeans, want to belong to a United States of Europe that is their prerogative. We would not interfere with that.

Like Winston Churchill, who was labelled a warmonger for warning against Hitler, but who was later proclaimed a hero, the UK Independence party has simple message. It is that the European Union is not good for Britain. Forget about peacekeeping; we have NATO to thank for that. Britain has received not one benefit from 27 years' of EU membership. We have never had a "voice" in the EU and never will.

Only Britain and Germany are the net contributors. All of the other member states are the "takers", and they are doing very nicely. Just remember, while we allow our own people to be stacked up in hospital corridors, and while we stand by and watch as teachers leave our schools in droves, we are sending in excess of £25 million every day to the EU. There is no doubt whatsoever that Britain would be better off out. End of story.

Come December I will be a grandfather for the first time. And when that child eventually sits on my knee and asks "Grandad, why didn't you DO something about it?", I will be able to answer with all honesty "I did my best". So, thank you for publishing this letter.

IAN MORRIS, UK Independence Party, Newtown Road, Malvern.