I, UNLIKE some of your recent contributors, am really pleased with the Brexit decision.

Although it is true that the EU has funded some great local things, like helping Stroud Brewery and subsidising Ecotricity, let’s not forget that every penny of that funding was British taxpayers’ money – recycled through inefficient EU bureaucracy.

Bear in mind that even after receiving our money back, the EU still costs us £9 billion each and every year.

Local Green Party activists claim that only the EU can help us care for the environment but can’t they envisage a future freed from EU constraints, where a British government could implement environmental policies tailored to our own country’s needs?

Dynamic environmentalists like David Bellamy have campaigned for decades against the undemocratic folly of the EU.

Some who have been tweeting displeasure with the referendum result seem to be confusing the EU with Europe.

We all love Europe, so let’s show solidarity with the millions of our fellow Europeans who are also struggling to free themselves from the shackles of EU membership.

If we don’t think that the established political parties are principled or bold enough to lead us, start-up ones that can.

Let’s embrace the future and think positive!

Steve Huntley

Nailsworth