I fear that the Prime Minister has lost sight of how a true democracy operates.

The proposal of a European Constitution will represent a momentous change in the lives of each and every one of us. At least ten European countries consider the Constitution to be worthy of a referendum where the people will decide on whether they want to be ruled by a federalist Europe. Unfortunately, the British Prime Minister considers such matters to beyond the people and has declared that we will accept the Constitution into the British way of life.

What does Mr Blair fear from open debate and a referendum defeat at the hands of the people?

For a prime minister who has espoused referenda as being an opportunity for the people to have their rightful say in political matters, this high handed attitude is a strange departure from his avowed intent to be the listening Premier.

Far worse, the insouciance and arrogance of the Prime Minister confirms him to be the supreme egotist, a man convinced of his primacy in British political history. But he will always remain a man for whom style will always be more important than substance.

The Prime Minister has a duty to allow the British people to determine their own future. He is fond of quoting the mistakes of Conservative administrations rather than make the same elementary mistake, he should recognise that they were wrong to disregard the people.

D. Morgan

Swindon