KNOWLEDGE is empowering.

Last Saturday I was in Kidderminster town centre handing out leaflets and talking to people about the EU referendum. It became apparent that many people want more information before they can come to an informed decision. The ‘in’ campaign seems determined to maintain widespread ignorance and fear. I hope that by laying out just some important reasons why I want an independent United Kingdom, it may help stimulate some sensible debate. Firstly, the amount of money that we pay for EU membership, per year, is about the same as it would cost to build 28 new hospitals.If we leave the EU we will get our sovereignty and democratic powers back.

Our MP will no longer need to trawl through endless EU rules and directives that limit UK Parliamentary power. In the same way, our small and medium businesses will be liberated from endless costly regulation.

Sensible and fair control of immigration can only improve the NHS, employment, public services, wages and housing availability for all UK citizens. Such vital control of our borders is impossible while we remain in the EU. We want free trade with Europe, we want to be in NATO but we do not want political union with the EU. I think the EU is moving in the wrong direction. I will vote to leave.

Paul Wooldridge UKIP member and activist