HAVING viewed the European election results with dismay, I am reminded of an experience I had some 15 years ago.

I was waiting at Gloucester railway station (with the then Gloucester MP, Tess Kingham,) for Glenda Jackson who was then a Cabinet minister).

As we were waiting an elderly lady was attempting to use the public telephone at the station, with some difficulty.

We approached her and asked if we could help. She was very grateful to us and we introduced ourselves.

She then asked us what we thought of the unity in Europe. We both said we were very much in favour and she then said, and it has been etched in my thoughts ever since: "Having lived through the Second World War, I believe that European unity is the greatest act of reconciliation this world has ever seen."

Just a thought!

– Bernie O'Neill, Cinderford