I NOTE that the letter from JW Bearby (HAS, 19 July) suggested the UK has “no alternative but to leave the EU”.

I’d suggest we have a plethora of choices when it comes to the European Union.

First and foremost, I think the most constructive choice would be the sort of leadership shown by Tony Blair in engaging in meaningful discussion and negotiation.

This would entail developing a strategy for pan-European growth by engaging in a constructive dialogue with other EU members.

The creation of an economy and jobs that provide all the citizens of Europe with good standards of living is a vision that could unite people across our continent.

I hope in May 2014 Ed Miliband will be in a position to lead these discussions and help usher an era of optimism and hope.

Richard Bulmer, Sheffield.