L SPITERI gushed his enthusiasm for a federal EU to such an extent (You Say, October 15) it could have been Tony Blair himself speaking.

There is only one issue here - independence. This country has been independent for more than 1,000 years and is facing the prospect of losing that status permanently to become a just a province within Europe.

"So what?" you might ask. Well, without independence, we would have no authority over the creation or upholding of our own laws, no control over our own economy, i.e. interest rates, tax rates, exchange rates and so on.

Incidentally, the UK has one of the lowest average income tax rates within the continent of Europe. That would go very quickly.

We would also have no control over our own foreign policy. We would be bound by the foreign policy of the EU, formulated by God knows who in Brussels. What about an EU police force?

Basically, Westminster would be reduced to nothing more than a museum.

I don't like Tony Blair, his government or his policies, but I'd rather have him and an independent UK than be a subject of Brussels, Frankfurt, Berlin or wherever else they decide will be the Capital City of the EU.

GARY WEBB,

Bath Road,

Worcester.