ON WEDNESDAY I received my polling card for the forthcoming referendum vote and as someone who has, to the best of his recollection, voted in every election for the past 60 years, I have to ask myself how it has come to this where it seems we can only control immigration by leaving the European Union even if there are economic and political risks in doing so.

Figures published on Thursday by the Office of National Statistics show net migration last year increased by 333,000.

And in the least worst scenario that all those immigrants contribute to the economy and promote higher living standards, what will happen to ‘England’s green and pleasant land’ if in the next 10 years a further four million arrive, as suggested?

Some readers may be aware I have frequently argued on your ‘Letters Page’ that this country should remain in the European Union mainly on the grounds that we are part of Europe and should welcome the end of the kind of nationalism that devastated Europe for so long, as well as the opportunity to work together with our European Union friends on a whole range of common issues.

That view still remains.

But a nagging doubt arises when I look at the projections for net migration into this country.

I am sure I am not the only person facing this dilemma of how to reconcile support for continuing membership of the EU with concern about the impact of more immigration.

And in that context it would, I think, be extremely helpful if a public debate could be held in Bournemouth between our two Bournemouth Members of Parliament who, according to the latest reports, are on opposite sides in this vital debate, so that questions can be answered and legitimate fears be hopefully addressed.

GORDON CANN

Craigmoor Avenue, Bournemouth

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