READING the letters published in The Press by those in favour of Brexit one might be forgiven for thinking that the EU are the bad guys and that, by comparison, the UK government are the good guys.

The reality is rather different. For it is the EU and not the UK government that is leading the fight against multinational corporations intent on avoiding paying tax (our government opposes EU demands that there should be full public disclosure of ownership of companies registered in tax havens).

It is the EU and not the UK government that is leading the fight against the deadly scourge of air pollution (our government has consistently tried to delay implementing the radical action needed).

It is the EU, not the UK government, which is trying to introduce anti-dumping laws that would prevent cheap Chinese imports from driving British firms out of business (our government has led the opposition to such measures).

It is the EU and not the UK government that is determined to slash the obscene bonuses that bankers pay themselves (our government has tried to declare such measures illegal).

It is the EU and not the UK government that is leading the fight against casino banking by supporting the so-called Robin Hood tax (which our government has consistently opposed).

The European Union does not resemble the pantomime villain of Brexit propaganda. It is the British government that is better fitted to play that role.

Colin Campbell, Fulford, York