AS we face dangerous cuts to our defence capability, worrying cuts to police budgets, and the degrading or loss of valuable community services, the issues of our EU membership and the size of the ring-fenced overseas aid budget are ripe for informed, democratic debate and action.

However, to date our politicians have steadfastly refused to engage with the country on these issues.

Over the size of this parliament alone, up to £100 billion may well have been given away to the cash-guzzling EU and overseas aid.

Whilst some overseas aid is justified, the total package is too generous. Morally, is it right that we continue to dole out over £16 billion a year to the EU and almost £8 billion on overseas aid while emasculating our armed forces, running down culturally valuable council services and reducing vital police numbers, and thus throwing our own people on the unemployment scrap heap?

It is spending on our armed forces, police numbers and community services that should be ring-fenced because a government’s first priority must be to its own people and their welfare.

George J Hill, Darwen.