Sir, Richard Kemp is wrong to suggest that remaining in the EU will result in our armed forces “signing up to a European army” (letter, May 4) The UK has a veto on all defence matters and Britain will never be part of any EU army. National security is a matter for national government competence. Nato is, and will remain, the cornerstone of our defence policy; the secretary-general of Nato, Jens Stoltenberg, said recently that “a strong UK in Europe is good for our security, it is good for Nato”. This is also the view of the US government.

Being in Europe complements our Nato membership and magnifies the UK’s influence and power in the world. It also strengthens our security through working with our allies to share intelligence and tackle cross-border challenges. Cutting ourselves off from our allies and friends, as the Leave campaigners would like us to do, would leave the defence of Britain weaker, not stronger.

Sir Nicholas Soames MP
House of Commons

Letter published in The Times