Yet again the Government has to accept poor growth figures for the UK's Gross Domestic Product. Are they aware that two of the strongest economies in Europe are Norway and Switzerland, neither of which are members of the EU? Are they also aware of the following?

The UK pays £48million pounds every day to be members of the most expensive and undemocratic club in the world.

The Common Agricultural Policy costs the UK £16.7 billion a year.

The Common Fisheries Policy costs the UK £4.7 billion a year.

Over-regulation by the EU is estimated to cost the UK £48.7 billion a year.

The usual arguments for paying these sums put forward by the UK Government are that the EU is our major trading partner and our economy would suffer if we left this very expensive club.

However, this just is not true as since the UK joined the EU we have a trade deficit with the EU of £483 billion.

The truth of the matter is that the EU needs the UK and we would be far better off outside their very restrictive constitution. When we leave the EU they are still going to need the UK as trading partners and are not going to withhold trading agreements that are beneficial to the EU even if they do help the UK.

Everyone in the UK can help to restore our fortunes by signing our petition for a referendum on the UK's membership of the EU. Please either go to the following website http://www.ukip.org">www.ukip.org, www. ukip.org/petition/referendum-on-the-eus) or tell me of your support and I'll let you have the necessary form.

– Colin Guyton, UKIP Secretary, Forest of Dean and West Glos. Branch, The Great Barn, Park Farm, High Street, Ruardean.