IN response to Dr Marmion’s letter (The Press, April 11), one must ask what the Pax Britannica did to stop the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71, the Italian wars of independence from Austria, the 1866 war between Austria and France, the 1849 war between Austria and Hungary, all the conflicts of the unifications of Italy and Germany, and the revolutions of 1848.

When was the last period of 60 years without war in Europe? During the Roman empire?

So the most damning indictment against the European Union is the 3.8 per cent majority achieved by the leavers in a referendum in 3.6 per cent of member states.

This referendum was marked and marred by a pack of lies, supported by the right wing press on one side, and a lacklustre campaign on the other.

It cannot be considered to be the settled will of the nation. Compare that 3.8 per cent with the 24 per cent majority for remain Scotland and the 92 per cent majority in Gibraltar.

The practical considerations are no longer one-sided. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung puts the cost of Brexit to British citizens at £4,000 per annum per head.

It is foolhardy to put a precise figure on the cost, but the direction of travel seems clear enough. We will be less wealthy, less influential in the world, more subject to “events, dear boy, events” as Mr Macmillan put it, over which we have no influence.

Would the Scots want that? I know which way I would vote now if I still lived in Scotland.

Robert Stevens, Bootham Crescent, York