I WONDER just exactly what was it that "fired up" our great grandparents so much that they went out, en masse, to turn a large part of the world "pink"?

Looking around today, where is their spirit, their drive, their initiative? I reckon the British Bulldog's dead, and John Bull is either asleep or "off the planet" on drugs!

We never used to be pushed around like we are today. By anyone! Now, nobody seems to care.

Take the EU as just one example. Only five people, at the most, all Prime Ministers with varying political majorities, are responsible for allowing this country to be "annexed" by countries - some of which have caused us great grief and suffering over the last 150 years - trying to take us by force. Just five people!

Trade and friendship with foreign countries is one thing, to be totally linked fiscally and by laws and governments, is another.

But it's happening without so much as a squeak from any of us, and without our consent.

I have several good friends in Germany and a few in France, and I believe they, like us, entered a Common Market for trade benefits, but this has now turned into a United States of Europe.

We should go no further into the EU. Adopting the euro would give Frankfurt all our gold reserves, and Brussels total control over our daily transactions.

Trade and be friends with them - yes! "Go steady" with them - yes! Marry them - no.

Winston Churchill, bless him, said: "If Britain has to choose between Europe and the open sea, she must always choose the open sea!" I agree.

STANLEY D PARR,

Pershore,

Worcestershire.