NOW that the Prime Minister has conceded, against all his previous statements saying that it was not necessary, that we will have a referendum on the new EU constitution, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who signed the Conservative petition for a referendum, who wrote to Downing Street or otherwise put pressure on the Government to give people a say on this vital issue.

The fact that the government has given way is a sign that the action in pressing for a referendum made all the difference.

Now it will ultimately be for the British people to decide whether or not they want Europe to have a new, all-embracing constitution that diminishes national governments and opens the way to a stronger, more centralised EU.

DR CAROLINE JACKSON MEP

Bath Road