THERE seems to be some conflict between Gordon Brown claiming he has “saved the world” (Echo, Dec 11) and Bill Morehead putting it down to EU cooperation (HAS, Dec 3).

It would seem logical in the current dire circumstances worldwide for countries to cooperate anyway. Whether financial stimulus will be effective in a country like Britain – which is already subjected to far too much taxation, public and private debt, as well as too much of its wealth, created by a previous government, having been spent unproductively – is very doubtful.

The main plank of stimulus, VAT reduction, already seems ineffective.

Until the ruinous policy of excessive debt and waste is addressed, the cost of extra debt is likely to continue the downward spiral. Is keeping the electorate sweet until after the next General Election dictating policy?

Meanwhile, as our law-making, much of it totally unsuited to our needs, continues to be dictated by the EU it appears that as far as present EU cooperation goes that France can now manipulate the Uncommon, sorry Common Agricultural Policy for its own advantage at our cost, and German interests are always foremost in setting European Central Bank rates, regardless of smaller states’ needs.

Yet again, British interests are being sacrificed.

John Heslop, Gainford, near Darlington.