I write in response to Linda Walker’s letter to your publication (January 28) stating that the UK would have to join the Euro by 2020.

Perhaps she might want to look at Protocol 15.This states that the United Kingdom is entitled under the Treaties not to adopt the Euro and therefore to keep the British pound sterling as its currency.

Nigel Evans,

Apple Garth,

Upper Poppleton,York

Treaty of Lisbon has been implemented

I READ with great interest the letter from Linda Walker concerning the Treaty of Lisbon (Letters, January 28).

I find it hard to believe that Ms Walker read the treaty as claimed, because it contains none of the things which she describes.

The entire treaty contains no reference to the Euro and there is also no documented intention in respect of the EU becoming a single nation state as alluded to.

The treaty has already been fully implemented since January 1, 2009, and there are no further parts to be enacted in 2020 or at any other time.

Bill Tasselli,

Heworth,York

We don’t have many cards in hand on EU

NOT content with taking every opportunity to weaken the hand of our people negotiating with the EU politicians, some of our commentators are now demanding that the possibility of leaving the EU without a deal is withdrawn.

What other cards do we have in our hand?

What do these people think we have available to strengthen our negotiating position if not the possibility that if a reasonable agreement cannot be reached, we are willing to walk away?

Sometimes, when pondering on our dismal performance over the last two years, I wonder if there has been any attempt by EU negotiators to make our membership more appealing, rather than making our withdrawal ever more difficult and expensive?

Perhaps the carrot, rather than the stick?

Pamela Brown,

Goodwood Grove,York