TONY Blair seems determined to force a new European Union treaty on us without holding a referendum, knowing it will lack public support, yet we have no idea what it contains. We are surely entitled to know the wording of this new so-called treaty and the

TONY Blair seems determined to force a new European Union treaty on us without holding a referendum, knowing it will lack public support, yet we have no idea what it contains.

We are surely entitled to know the wording of this new so-called treaty and the framework it is modelled on following the disastrous collapse of the previous draft constitution in 2005.

We should also remember how, in recent statements, the Prime Minister managed to contradict himself; on one hand advocating his desire to 'represent the people', then later saying he will not be holding discussions on this in public, but in secret. In what way is this in the publics' interest?

If Mr Blair's budget negotiation skills are anything to go by, we can only expect further considerable sacrifices to be made by the UK to the benefit of our European counterparts. The proposed loss of our rebate worth £3billion is an example of this.

I agree that reform is needed, but with the focus on good governance, less regulation and greater inter-governmental co-operation. By disregarding the democratic rights of the British people, in pursuit of his own political agenda, Mr Blair is doing nothing to reduce the ever-growing public apathy towards politics.

The Government must hold discussions in public to allow voters to make up their minds on the future of the UK in Europe.

I strongly urge people to write to the Prime Minister and call for a referendum to be held on this treaty. If other countries decide they will allow their citizens to vote on it, how can Mr Blair justify denying this opportunity to British people?

ROBERT STURDY MEP

St Neots Road

Cambridge