DAVID Andrews (You Say, 12.05.01) says that because the USA has one currency, then Europe should have a single currency as well.

He suggests that by so doing Europe would become equally powerful.

Well, there are some major differences between the states of the USA and the nations of Europe.

The states of the USA have never had their own currency (as we know it), and have never been independent nation states; they also share a common language.

The USA has a federal system whereby the states are free to set their own taxes. The European Union plans to go even further with a centralised government removing taxation powers from member states (or mere regions as we are destined to become).

And do we need another superstate? Quality and standard of living do not necessarily equate with power. The two nations with the highest standard of living in the world are Norway and Switzerland, neither of whom are members of the EU! Whether Britain joins the single currency is an important issue, but it must be born in mind that, even if we don't, we are still gradually handing over more powers to Brussels, and making our way down the road to being part of a European superstate with one government.

Do we want it? I would say no. Can you do anything about it? Yes, vote for the UK Independence Party.

RICHARD CHAMINGS,

Parliamentary Candidate U K Independence Party, Worcester.