WATCHING the landing of the Soyuz spacecraft containing a British astronaut along with an American astronaut and Russian cosmonaut was a reminder that such missions, and the International Space Station itself, are the result of a commitment to co-operation between many nations.

It is a demonstration of what people can achieve working together, as part of something bigger, rather than just thinking about what benefits them alone.

The same is true of the European Union, and the United Nations. They are not perfect, but they are the best we have got. They are an ideal which we can work on and improve if we are part of them.

There has been a lot of confusing rhetoric flying around from both campaigns.

Maybe it is simpler to see the choice as that between two visions of the future: a Leave vote that is nostalgic, self-centred, looking backwards to an outdated model of “greatness”; or a vote to Remain with a positive, outward looking, determination to be part of the bigger picture, to benefit the UK but also help make Europe a better place for everybody.

Mary Kendall, Blake Court, Wheldrake, York