Sir, - Those British people who understand the final goals of the EU have watched the process of the Nice referendum with interest. We have restrained from interference because we consider it a matter for the Irish people to decide for themselves. But Romano Prodi's visit to Dublin with his comments about "democracy" has forced me to break my silence.
How can the Irish people, many of whose forbears gave their lives in order to become self-governing, surrender their independence to foreign, unelected bureaucrats whose sole aim is to confine us within an unelected fascist dictatorship? If the British people were granted the benefit of a referendum we would be standing squarely alongside you.
May I suggest that your consideration should be for your children and their children's children. - Yours, etc.,
Bryan Smalley, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire.