Philip Duly (Letters, 23rd March) says there would be “devastating economic consequences” if Britain left the EU. “It is inevitable that the EU would erect tariff barriers”, he says.

He is wrong for two reasons. First, in the worst case that the EU applied its Common External Tariff against British exports, the total duty payable by UK plc on exports to the EU would actually be less than our current net EU budget contribution. So even on this basis we should be Better Off Out.

But the EU is falling over itself to set up free trade agreements with third countries. And the EU has a strong positive balance of payments with the UK. It is inconceivable that they would put this at risk by applying tariffs.

We can have the benefits of EU market access without the devastating economic and political costs of EU membership. And we should.

Roger Helmer

East Midlands Conservative MEP