BBC Radio 5 Live are holding a debate on Britain's relationship with Europe on Monday 17th January at 2030 GMT and want to hear what you've got to say. A selection of your emails will be read out during the programme, so send in your views now.

For some of us, deciding whether we are Scottish or British has been enough of a headache. But can we envisage a time when we think of ourselves as "European" rather than "British"?

Could the Ibiza night-life entice you to live and work abroad? Are you more drawn to Italian and French films than to Hollywood blockbusters? How important is it for you to speak Italian in Rome or Spanish is Barcelona if everyone speaks English? When you are sitting on a Mediterranean beach do you ever imagine yourself to be European?

The best thing that England can do for itself and its citizens is to pull out of Europe all together and run this country as England and not play be the rules of others who do not have the best interests of England at heart.
Richard Powell, England

I believe that the European Union is a great force for peace. Linking our fortunes makes aggression between member states self-defeating for the aggressor.
I'm grateful that the rest of Europe still wants us in the EU after all the snide and paranoid Europe bashing that originates from this country. Take EMU for example. This country is waiting around until we can grudgingly join without incurring any disadvantage, while the original 11 countries are willing to make the sacrifices to make it work. Time, I think for the UK to grow up and pull its weight in Europe.
Anna, UK

This is, to be fair, a purely academic debate. The majority of people living in Britain are, by birthright, European and our culture has always been that of a European state, albeit a marginal one. We have looked to Europe for a lead in matters of politics, the arts and science for many centuries and we therefore have far too much in common with our friends across the Channel to even consider severing links. If we were to do so, it would only be a matter of time before we were asking if we were American or British, a thought too hellish to contemplate.
Why should we be European? For the simple reason that nation-states are artificial, they are matters of convenience. Why then should we not style ourselves as European to ensure peace and prosperity: have we learnt nothing from conflicts between nation states? Just because we would become part of a closer European Union does not mean that we would be sucked into a cultural homogeny, because culture ignores national boundaries. After all, would anyone conceivably claim that people living in London, Newcastle, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast are the same?
Jo Kibble, Europe

Look to Europe for new ideas: the Netherlands has one of the lowest levels of teenage pregnancies in the world, lower cases of HIV contracted by intravenous needles, lower waiting times for operations, and at the moment reaching full employment.
We should be working with not against Europe. We could be as powerful together as the US. We should be leading on issues: especially the environment: recycling, using renewable resources for energy. The US is one of the worst polluters in the world, 40 million cannot afford medical insurance, many workers have no employment rights. Why are some obsessed with our relationship with one of the worst countries in the world when we can forge a closer union with our neighbours to work together for full employment, wealth and saving our environment.
Also, if the UK does not enter the Eurozone, I for one will consider moving to another EU country that is part of the Euro.
Katrina Bull, UK

Fraud, Incompetence, lining ones pockets, selfish, greedy, bureaucratic, scams, fiddles, clumsy, sleaze ridden, subsidisation.
All of the above words are used regularly by people of all positions in life, not just in the UK, but across Europe. As long as this continues, we will never see Europe as something we should give our national identify away to.
We are, always have been & always will be an island, & as such we will always have the independent, self reliant attitude that has stood us in good stead in times of strife throughout our history. If Europe was a good model, maybe we would want closer relations?
Peter, UK

I Noticed that one of your correspondents wrote that the UK is a puppet of the USA. This actually far from the truth. Many people in the UK are openly against many policies of the USA & also see America as having structures in society that we do not want in the UK.
An example would be the way the Americans change the spelling of the common "English" language & this transposes across in film & TV etc. We are also clearly not "European" in our views on many subjects, not least of which are, EMU & taxation.
We see Europe as something to be part of but with our own individuality that the EMU & tax etc, do not allow for.
Samantha Luscome, UK

Too many people in Europe see the EU as a way of getting at the Americans. The British have never really felt that kind of anger, regardless of the minor criticisms, i.e. TV. Watching 'Saving Private Ryan' made me realise that I'm only too happy to have the Yanks at hand. And if that makes us US puppets in the eyes of Austrians or anyone else then so be it.
David Butler, Brit in OZ

I feel the British are extremely far from ever feeling European. Politically they seem to side alot more often with the US. The whole point of a united Europe is to create a strong counterpart to the USA and stop allowing them to rule the world 'a plaisir'. I feel the British make that almost impossible by boycotting all attempts for closer union. Since they don't feel European they should leave the EU and become openly the USA puppet they already are anyway!
Vivien Cooksley, Austria

When I hear Europeans speak about the British I hear remarks about their lost empire and uptightness, etc. All of it is derogatory. In my opinion Europeans don't give the British the respect they deserve. Americans never deprecate the British this way. We respect them and are grateful to them for the legacy they gave us. When another war breaks out- and unfortunately some day there will be another one somewhere in Europe- you can be certain that the Americans and the British will be on the same side. Can you say that about your European neighbours? Let the U.S., Canada, and Britain work closely together and let continental Europeans continue with their follies on their own.
C. Anderson, USA

Europeans and the British are the Europe of the World. The countries of Europe are the joy of the cultures of celebration, each provides uniqueness to the European Community. The United Kingdom is historically exciting to Europe and is culturally valuable, as are all of the European countries. Celebrate the uniqueness of each culture and respect each other. Do protect the unique value of culture and unite in understanding.
Catharine Hannover, Reno, Nevada/USA

Living in Luxembourg with its large population of non-Luxembourgish people, I think I am in a good position to view the behaviour of the British compared to other European nations. Britain is in an interesting position, caught culturally between the US and the continent. Britain's attitude to the rest of Europe would be markedly different if the language spoken in the USA were not English. Everyone within Europe thinks of themselves by their nationalities first as that is what differentiates us culturally. However, the idea of being European is gaining ground, and this is nowhere more obvious when comparisons are made with the USA, as certain aspects of European behaviour are more common.
One of your other contributors had the supreme arrogance to suggest that the British do everything better, and then cited several things as examples including newspapers. The English press is among the most bigoted, biased, sleazy and sensationalist in the world. I suggest this contributor reads some other European newspapers as a comparison, because I am sure he can speak at least one other European language in order to be able to make such an accurate statement about other countries.
Simon Gibbons, Luxembourg

I was born in Wales. I consider myself both Welsh and British! I am quite happy to be governed by Cardiff's Welsh Assembly (even though its a bit of a talking shop), and from Westminster in London. I have never though of myself being European. This makes what I am even more confusing, and Brussels is a waste of our tax money!
Lisa, Swansea, Wales

The UK will never be a European nation. Napoleon saw to that. But, so what. In the 21st century geopolitical boundaries will become meaningless. Trade and commerce will become the new politics. Because of the Internet, trade and commerce is no longer regional. Therefore a person working in the UK may have more economic interest with his customers and suppliers in Asia than he does with his geographical neighbours.
The paradigm has shifted. Soon, local languages and currencies will become irrelevant. "Regional" affiliations will no longer have any influence. This will become a shock to the French - but they can do nothing to stop it. Welcome to the New World.
Lauren, USA

When will people realise that the idea of "European Union" is a complete myth. When push comes to shove, every country is only concerned with self-interest. No matter how much money Britain pumps into the EU, no matter how much we try to be reasonable and play by the rules, we continually get stabbed in the back by our so called "partners".
The French continue to act disgracefully and make up their own rules, whilst the Germans are continually hostile towards Britain. At the recent Helsinki summit, where the French were clearly in the wrong over their beef ban, how many countries sided with Tony Blair and supported us? Absolutely none. They just don't want to know. So much for the idea of all European countries working constructively together!
Steve, England

In the light of devolution, I'm now English, not British. Anyway, I've been living in Holland for 18 months, earning Euros and would like to see the UK play it's 'leading role'. The inclusion of new countries into the European Union is I think, for the better, but there may already be too much diversity within Europe. I say that the UK, Norway, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands are relatively similar people. The French are... the French, then comes Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal which are quite different cultures; not just their siestas. If Europe is to expand, maybe regional variations will be required.
Colin, Netherlands

I may be European, but I will always consider myself to be British. No politician or bureaucrat can take this away.
Peter Mash, UK

I believe that there is a great difference between Britain and the mainland European countries. Apart from public transport, I cannot think of a single thing that is done better on the continent than it is here. We are better organised, more professional, and have a far greater respect for fair play and decency than the other countries in Europe. We have by far the richest culture and a proud history of standing up to European imperialism and aggression.
Just look at our television, newspapers, radio, music, sports etc to see how far ahead of the rest of Europe we are in creativity and endeavour. The Eurovision song contest, intended to bring Europe together, only serves to illustrate how much higher our standards and tastes are than in mainland Europe. The European Union is an absolute sleaze and incompetence ridden disaster, and the sooner we are out of it, and forging stronger links with our true friends like America the better.
Ollie, London, England

Why is it that in the European union all members are equal except the French? When we send help to sort out their problems after the storms at Christmas, they welcome us with open arms. Two weeks later they are blockading the ports and killing British businesses. If the EU is so great why do British citizens pay more for everything than other EU member citizens?
How can we be expected to compete with Europe when the government taxes small businesses to death while French business are subsidised to the hilt?
Paul Clarke, UK

Britain is an island, the British are an island race. This has taught us self-reliance and independence looking to the wider world, Yes the famous nation of shopkeepers, this was born out of necessity as the Britain is not a large island. This means that we have had to travel and trade to survive, Europe still has plenty of space to expand so it retains its farming outlook.
We will never be wholly European, we will retain an interest even suspicion of the unifiers. This has been reinforced now by the widespread fraud, clumsy bureaucracy etc. The problem is that France is playing by its own rules, witness the farmers and truck drivers actions, while France is pandered to by Europe, Europe will never be popular.
Martin, England

A British person can never be truly European. Why? We are too honest! The linguistic question is of minor importance when comparing the general behaviour of the various nationalities. My experience in Italy teaches me that Italians are selfish.
The whole concept of EU is in lining one's pockets. The civility of the individual is non-existent, racism is exacerbated by the insular character of the people. The working life consists of hurdle after hurdle of gross incompetence, scams and fiddles and a general lack of professionalism. They even cheat at football. The bureaucratic machine is a den of idiocy, its sole purpose is to find 'jobs for the boys'. No wonder Labour are so keen on surrendering to Europe.
ED, Italy (the outer reaches of Europe)