THE UK Independence Party has been accused by Conservative and Labour supporters alike, over the years, of scaremongering in our predictions of a European superstate.

We were scoffed at during last year's General Election for being obsessed with an issue that the general public doesn't regard as very important in their lives.

As we enter 2002 and absorb the impact of the euro, let us reflect on how many of these "alarmist" predictions have come true.

"Europe" now has its own currency, its own laws which take preference over national laws, its own army, its own police force, its own system of law and order and its own government which is not answerable to the governments of the nation states.

It has granted itself the power to wipe out any national law that challenges its onward progress and to change or introduce any tax in its own interests.

And there's not a darned thing Paul Keetch or Bill Wiggin can do to change it. Our MPs are powerless.

The people of Herefordshire only have to look at our transport system, our council taxes, our planning laws, our agriculture and the increase in lawlessness to see what impact playing second-fiddle to European law is now having on our daily lives.

The next big change will be the gradual break-up of Herefordshire Council in favour of a less accountable "Assembly" in the West Midlands, casting aside those who give their time and effort to serve our county to let in more bureaucrats.

The picture becomes clearer by the day. We must now either be absorbed into this country called Europe or tread a successful path outside the "union" as world traders and innovators - which is always what we've been best at.

The UK Independence Party will continue to fight in Herefordshire in 2002 without the need for spin or compromise just to buy votes. We'll leave the lies to the politicians.

CHRISTOPHER KINGSLEY,

Yarkhill, Hereford.