A party political broadcast?

I will not counter all his claims as it would require an entire page, but I would like to point out a few facts.

He claims Britain would be better off leaving the EU, yet thanks to the early release of 25bn in European funds last week, small businesses are better placed to weather the global finance crisis.

This is a global crisis which has proved that countries cannot act in isolation but will fare better from concerted action.

If he wants an illustration of a country going it alone, look at Iceland, a country outside the EU. It has a GDP of $20bn, but debts of $120bn. When the crisis broke, leaders looked to the European Union for solutions with many advocating ditching the Kronur and joining the Euro immediately.

It has obviously escaped Mr Barkes' attention the solid and reliable pound has depreciated about 25 per cent against the Euro since its launch.

Despite his protestations, the UKIP is a single-issue party because if Britain were to leave the EU the political andeconomic dislocation would overshadow any other policies the party had dreamed up.

It is also worth remembering Britain would lose 4.6bn each year in EU funding.

As for UKIP '˜having a firm grip on what matters to most people in this country', the latest statistics reveal only 28 per cent of British people are opposed to EU membership.

I assume Duncan will now be interviewing leaders of the other parties in the interests of political balance.

Peter Edgington,

Victoria Drive, Bognor Regis