YOUR VIEWS

FIRSTLY, I would make it clear that I am not anti Europe, quite the contrary, believing that Europe has much to offer to Britain, in trade, co-ordination of armed forces, free flow of citizens/workers etc, but cannot join the Viewpoint of Ray Fleming, who seems to believe everything is wonderful about a federated Europe.

His obvious delight that the final obstacle of the Czech vote was overcome, was shown with his gleeful ridiculing Cameron's promise to hold a referendum if elected. This promise was made with the proviso that all nations had NOT ratified the Lisbon agreement if/when the Conservatives came to power.

At the time there were still Ireland, Poland and the Czechs to ratify the agreement. We all know the Irish firstly rejected it in a referendum and had another vote forced on them and gave way in fear of the economic bad times. The Poles fell into line for no doubt their additional benefits, as did the Czechs finally, obtaining an exclusion of any Germans (originally) based claims on land in the Czech Republic in the future.

It should be remembered that in addition to the Irish, the French and Dutch did hold referendums, which both went against the treaty, but their Governments ignored this and voted for it.

Of course part of the Labour Party's election manifesto was the promise of a referendum, but this promise was blatantly broken to the British people.
It is not unreasonable that true Britons should want to retain control of some/many aspects of their laws, way of life etc, it is quite frankly what makes Britain a bit special, made so through its centuries of rich history. Resistance to being put in a big “melting pot” is understandable, and it is a pity Mr Fleming cannot understand this, i.e. proud of one's heritage and nationality and way of life.

Anyway, despite not being able to hold a referendum (if elected) David Cameron has certainly made it clear that he would protect the sovereignty of Britain, its encouraging that at least one political leader in the UK has the guts to stand up for the old country.

Yours sincerely
Graham Phillips

PS
I recall at the time of Princess Di's untimely death, Ray Fleming wrote that he could not understand the outpouring of the nation's grief, the rewritten song Candle in the wind by Elton John etc... another “British bridge too far” for Mr Ray Fleming.”