All facts needed fora democratic choice

In 1972 Prime Minister Edward Heath signed the Treaty of Rome and took us into the Common Market with the consent of the British people. In 1975 a referendum was held to decide if we should remain a member.

We were told it was just for trading purposes and to prevent any future wars. It was on this assumption people voted to stay in. Papers since released under the 30-year rule now show we were not told the whole story and Mr Heath used the Information Service and the Foreign Office to promote only favourable stories about the Common Market.

It also appears propaganda was used by broadcasters to highlight the same stories. Was there a conspiracy or a ploy to secure a preferred result by deliberately witholding all the facts?

Some 40 years later is history repeating itself with certain politicians and their politically motivated media again promoting only favourable stories about the European Union? Is the truth again being censored and real facts suppressed?

In a democratic society it is fair and reasonable to expect politicians and the media to show all the hidden agenda of the British iceberg - in other words, disclose all details about the EU and not just a small tip that conceals the whole truth.

If and when a referendum does take place, there must be no smokescreen or cover up.

Prime Minister David Cameron has ruled out a referendum despite a Tory pledge for a poll on any EU treaty changes.

He has told Tory MPs that “Britain should be in there defending its interests”.

People must be allowed to make their own democratic choices based on all the information available and not be kept deliberately in the dark.

ALAN PITCHES

De La Warr Road, Bexhill