At a time when attention is focused on the Middle East, it is easy to forget about important events closer to home.

The EU Convention on the Future of Europe has just published a draft constitution which provides the European Union with power to co-ordinate economic policy and with exclusive control of immigration, opening borders to the free movement of people from Eastern Europe and beyond. The EU will also gain control of defence and foreign policy and the right to conclude international agreements. This threatens Britain's status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council which will be replaced by an EU representative.

The EU will gain the power to interfere in our energy supplies and North Sea oil will become a common resource. EU citizens will be bound by the Constitution with the European Charter of Fundamental Rights becoming legally binding.

The Freedom Association is calling for a national referendum on the EU constitution. Our message is simple: we must apply pressure on each Member of Parliament irrespective of party to ensure that the people of this country decide whether we join a federal European Union or whether we retain what is left of our national independence.

Philip J Duly, campaign manager

The Freedom Association