IT has been remarked in the media that many English people don't know the date of St George's Day, or know a great deal about him.

However, we should take heart. Far fewer people will know that Friday, May 9, was officially designated as Europe Day. And they are most unlikely to know the reason.

No, it doesn't commemorate the final victory of the Allies over Nazi Germany in 1945. To think that would be politically incorrect.

Instead, good Europeans will celebrate the Schuman Declaration of May 9, 1950, which proposed the European Coal and Steel Community, and initiated the process that has since led to the European Union.

Interestingly, on the front page of this document, for anyone to see, is a clear statement that this should be a "first step in the Federation of Europe".

Yet, for half a century, British politicians - from Macmillan to Blair - have refused to admit that this is the real objective, pretending that "Europe" is primarily about trade.

If the British finally wake up to what is planned - that is, the annexation of their homeland by a European empire - they might, conceivably, decide to prevent it.

MURIEL PARSONS,

Campaign for an Independent Britain

Reading, Berkshire.