A NUMBER of people are against the idea of an updated European Union treaty without taking time to fully understand the situation.

There is a wide variety of issues to consider and to be able to take all factors into account the agenda must be wide. It is then up to the politicians to refine the issues enabling the most constructive outcomes.

The chief guidance in deciding legislating powers is the rule that says decisions are to be made as near to the people affected as possible. This must be borne in mind when updating treaties to meet increased membership and changes in the world scene.

Anyone who has been in an organisation where decisions have been made by a few people, without taking all available information into account, will have realised how inefficient this is. Where all are involved in one way or another, and everything is on the table, everyone benefits from the result.

At whatever the level, consideration of all the information may not lead to the absolute perfection that those who would have us withdraw from the EU seek, but it does lead to the most efficient solutions possible.

Bill Morehead, Darlington.