ON war; Mr Stevens (Letters, April 17) wishes to know when was the last 60 years of peace in Europe?

Never. From barbarian invasions to the latest form of terrorist warfare, it has always been present.

The causes are equally consistent, war is merely the continuation of politics by other means.

To end war you remove the cause; political meddling in sovereign nations affairs, something the EU specialises in.

Leave is the democratically settled will of the nation and unless anyone tries to continue the politics of Europe by those other means, we are leaving.

On lies; many voters used the abundance of material that was available to make an informed choice, unlike Mr Stevens’ decision to spoil his ballot paper during the PCC elections claiming there wasn’t enough coverage (Letters, May 14, 2016).

Please stop the trademark remoaner argument that the leave voters were as inattentive.

Maybe a handful were persuaded by bus slogans but no more so than the remain voters or by all sides in every other election ever held.

On numbers; the UK comprises 12.5 per cent and 16 per cent of the EU population and GDP respectively.

A much bigger economic output to population ratio than Scotland is to the UK.

Events might yet include the collapse of the euro, huge political instability on the continent, while (as one Scottish composer put it) thou shalt flourish, shalt flourish great and free.

Dr Scott Marmion, Woodthorpe, York