SIR - The English stand in the way of a united Europe and must be defeated. That is the extraordinary claim of Andrew Duff, a Lib-Dem MEP. Last week he pointed out that Britain, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Poland are the European Union members resisting changes to take Europe closer to a superstate.

"The four countries have put themselves apart from the others," Mr Duff said.

He said Britain was playing a leading role in watering down the treaty, which is supposed to be drawn up by 2009 and replace a draft constitution.

The constitution was meant to simplify the way decisions are made as the EU expands by cutting back on the use of a cumbersome majority voting system and putting in place a long-term president.

He said if Britain could be defeated and persuaded to change its stance, the rest would follow. I hope the electorate will treat these traitorous statements deservedly at the next opportunity.

NICK CHANCE, Severn Stoke.