The EU is more popular than many of our newspapers would like us to think

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European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker at the European parliament in Strasbourg (AFP/Getty Images)

It was striking to note the portents of doom heralded by various sections of the media around the issue of the so-called constitutional crisis besetting Italy. This was, as they saw it, yet another nail in the EU’s coffin post-Brexit.

Much to their disappointment, this issue was quickly resolved, with a new populist government comprising the Five Star Movement and League sworn in. This saw a previous Eurosceptic economy minister being replaced with Giovanni Tria, who is in favour of Italy’s continued membership of the eurozone.

Every so often certain wings of the press seemingly rejoice in such matters, heralding this as the beginning of the end of the EU.

It is, however, striking to look at the actual support there is for EU membership within the member countries. The latest polling from the Eurobarometer survey, published in May, highlights the fact that two-thirds of Europeans believe their country has benefited from being a member of the EU; the highest number for 35 years. In addition 60 per cent consider EU membership a good thing. This includes Italy where more than twice as many view EU membership as a good thing than a bad thing. Likewise, in Brexit Britain, almost twice as many people view EU membership as a good thing, by 43 per cent to 23 per cent.

Despite the licking of lips by those who see every major issue facing a member state as heralding the breakup of the EU, the simple facts which highlight its popularity get in the way of this happening.

Alex Orr
Edinburgh

The Visa payments fiasco should prompt a rethink from HMRC

The massive Visa payments outage across Europe should give everyone pause for thought about our over-reliance on the internet and cyberspace generally. I hope this reflection will extend to HM Revenue and Customs, whose Making Tax Digital for Business policy will compel all but the smallest businesses to use cloud-based accounting packages.

From April next year the scheme will apply to all businesses registered for VAT. With the VAT registration threshold being an annual turnover (not profit) of only £85,000, even quite modest businesses will be caught by this rule.

It is easy to see the attractions to the HMRC of this policy. The scheme allows them to access businesses’ books from the comfort of their own offices with the expectation of both saving money and at the same time extracting more tax.

However, what about resilience? The government is very good at talking about this, while at the same time encouraging and frequently, as in this case, compelling us to do exactly the opposite.

HMRC should have a fundamental rethink of this policy and at the very least restrict it to corporate-scale businesses.

Otto Inglis
Edinburgh

The EU isn’t as undemocratic as people say

In his letter on Saturday, Gavin Lewis raises a question about the democratic credentials of the EU. His point about democracy is often raised by Brexit supporters, but unfortunately he is wrong in his implication that the European Council is the same as the European Commission.

This Wikipedia entry may help Mr Lewis.

“The European Council, charged with defining the European Union’s (EU) overall political direction and priorities, is the institution of the EU that comprises the heads of state or government of the member states, along with the president of the European Council and the president of the European Commission.”

Twenty-eight elected heads of state sounds pretty democratic to me; pity that all of us in the UK are not aware of this.

Nick Haward
Havant

America and China will decide our future

While we obsess about taking ourselves out of Europe or the even more absurd hiving Scotland off from the UK, the future is being shaped by the rivalry between America and China.

Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs are simply payback for his supporters in the US “Rust Belt”. The 21st-century economic battle will certainly not be about metal but the new technologies.

The fact that China is pursuing that strategy on the back of stolen US technology and intellectual property is ominous. Silicon Valley’s blend of innovation and finance will be hard to beat.

In comparison the SNP’s Growth Commission report is trivial. Its only effect will be to kick the prospects for Scottish independence into the long grass but for that it deserves our thanks.

Rev Dr John Cameron
St Andrews

Count yourself lucky, Lisa

Was it so “grim up north”, Lisa?

Having read Elizabeth Aubrey’s interview with Lisa Stansfield I feel it’s a shame that she felt it necessary to be so personally abusive about her careers officer who I assume was trying to offer realistic support and advice on career choices: “She had too many teeth and a lot of moles with hairs sticking out.” Having previously worked with the Rochdale careers officer team and in education for 35 years I can honestly say that I have not worked with a more caring, supportive and professional group of colleagues. The appropriate advice to at least consider a “backup” in case a singing career did not work out was obviously taken in the wrong way.

What a shame Stansfield did not take the opportunity to give credit to her music and drama teachers who most likely provided her with the encouragement to pursue her dreams. How lucky she was to attend an impressive high school in Rochdale with a purpose-built 700 seat theatre on school premises!

Name and address supplied

And the award goes to...

According to your article, Kim wants someone to pay for his $6000-per-night Singapore hotel room.

Considering that these meetings between Kim and the Master Negotiator Donald Trump could potentially create a safer world, would it not be appropriate for The Independent to set up a crowdfunding page, if only to shame the US?

The potential for your newspaper could be a share in the Nobel Peace Price?

Gunter Straub
​London