Sir – With the politicians in a comatose state of shock and the rest of us desperately trying to figure out what it actually means, the Czechs have put the last signature on the Lisbon Treaty.

We can still leave the EU at any time but Lisbon makes it infinitely harder whereas, until that last signature, we could simply walk away.

Now we have to give two years’ notice, during which period we must abide by all EU law, but we cannot attend any EU meeting, on any issue. The admin door is shut against us for two years.

Also, the Lisbon Treaty, being self-amendable on the whim of an EU official, may well be changed immediately, to three years or longer – according to how angry they get!

They have assumed it would take at least two years to untie the bonds that shackle all members before we can again become a free nation.

The idea is to make it too hard to even bother, but they may well have underestimated British resolve, indomitable spirit and our love of freedom. I do hope so.

Stanley D Parr
Worcester