WE FEEL that the decision to be made in the EU referendum on June 23 is of crucial importance to Britain and to the whole of Europe and beyond.

We owe it to ourselves and to all those who will be affected to ensure that whatever the result, the campaign and the debate are based on truth and respect and not on misleading information or fear.

The Quaker movement came out of a time of political and social upheaval in Britain in the mid 17th century, when there were deep divisions between people and much mutual suspicion leading to the scapegoating of particular groups.

The founder of Quakerism, George Fox, came to believe that each of us has a responsibility to make our own choices and decisions, based not on doctrine, but by seeking the truth in the here and now.

Quakers continue to place emphasis on taking individual responsibility for our own behaviour and for working towards communities based on truth, in which peace arises from equality and social justice and a sustainable use of resources is rooted in respect for the natural environment.

Quakers have never had a written creed, but we each try to live our lives in accordance with five key principles of peace, truth, equality, simplicity and respect for the earth.

We hope that these or similar principles will underpin the discourse and decisions of all the campaigners and voters in the lead up to the referendum.

Carole Rakodi

Clerk

Penarth Quaker meeting