THERE is no reason to blame the European Union, as some of your correspondents have, for the closure of post offices. Ever since the early 1980s, Britain has pressed her European partners to deregulate and privatise. Our aim was to open up competition across frontiers, and so to improve the operation of the European Single Market, which was largely an achievement of Mrs Thatcher's Government. The directives referred to by Mr Burnham (Letters, July 10) are a result of this pressure. They are a good illustration of our strength in Europe, and of our ability to influence the rules that all members of the European Union agree to follow. So, we can hardly blame Europe if we don't like the results! Christopher Denne Churchtown Farm Sydenham Damerel