Letter: The nations of Europe can't survive alone

Sir: The extract from Winston Churchill's speech referred to by Professor Bush (Letters, 21 September) is worth quoting in full. In May 1953, Churchill said: "We are with Europe but not of it. We are linked but not comprised. We are associated but not absorbed. And should any European statesman address us and say, `Shall we speak for thee?' we should reply, `Nay, Sir, for we live among our own people.' "

Throughout his speeches, Churchill made it clear that he wanted a United States of Europe with Britain watching over it from the outside. He had no intention of deserting the Commonwealth.

BRYAN SMALLEY

Much Hadham, Hertfordshire