SIR - The Lisbon Treaty, which will be ratified in February 2009 is not democratic because all the countries included will not be allowed to hold a referendum- all, that is, except Ireland which is bound by its own constitution which states that any amendments to its constitution must be put to its people for approval.

When the Irish treaty was drawn up, Eamon De Valera wrote into it that no political party should ever have the right again to hold power over the people without the people's consent.

A referendum on the EU treaty is being held this summer and if Ireland votes no, the whole house of cards will fall, leaving the issue regarding the Lisbon treaty to the pages of history.

MARY E BURCHER, Worcester.