EUROPE: THE most precious and fundamental building block of our parliamentary democracy system of government is that no Parliament can bind its successors.

This gives essential protection to the electorate and underlines the primary concept that it is the electorate who holds power in this country and not the politicians.

Elected governments are merely temporary custodians of an electorate's wishes, and power granted by the electorate is also theirs to remove.

This protection will end with the signing and ratification of the EU constitution.

This pernicious document, collectively creates the EU as a distinct legal entity, giving it powers which remove the right of the United Kingdom to govern itself, in accordance with the democratically expressed wishes of the UK electorate.

The most horrifying clause, which should set alarm bells ringing is that, once passed into English law, the EU constitution cannot be changed by any future elected UK government.

Please resist in any way you can this "elected fifth column" spearheaded by President Blair. - Dave Pascoe, Press Secretary, UK Independence Party, Hartlepool Branch.

CYCLISTS

I WAS pleased to read that Darlington Council is to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

However, by far the biggest anti-social problem in Darlington is not being addressed - cycling on pavements. It is an offence under the Road Traffic Act to cycle on pavements.

Darlington Council produced an excellent publication, Pavement for People. Paragraph eight states: "Under the Highway Code a cycle is designated as a vehicle and the police can prosecute or issue fixed penalty tickets to cyclists riding on footpaths."

I rest my case - and watch with bated breath for some action. - R Elliott, Darlington.

ROTHMANS

AS an ex-employee and union branch secretary in the Darlington factory, I would hope that the newly set up taskforce could, through meaningful discussion, show BAT the error of its ways, but I will not hold my breath.

Approximately three years ago, legislation on tar levels in cigarettes was initiated by Brussels which seriously affected the business of the BAT factories in the UK.

Myself and my union colleagues met Alan Milburn and council leader John Williams on more than one occasion and attempted to show them the serious effect this legislation could have on our jobs.

Although they were sympathetic to our fears they were not helpful or duly concerned about our cause. In fact, the only constructive help we received from within the council was from Tony Richmond, leader of the Conservative councillors.

Then the inevitable happens and Mr Milburn is no longer Health Minister. He and Mr Williams are crawling all over the situation.

Well Mr Milburn and Mr Williams, I don't like to say I told you so, but I told you so. - Ian Coverdale, Fishburn.

EDUCATION

WITH regard to the lessons on death that are available to the pupils at Tanfield Lea Junior School, Stanley (Echo, June 24), I see this as a bold initiative by the school.

I feel though that as well as an undertaker, a churchman should also be invited to speak to the children.

When we lost our mother some years ago we were told by the vicar that we would still be helped by mother even though she had left us.

My family took great comfort from these words and found them to be true.

I recall a television programme where a clergyman said that towards the end of life, death need not be feared and that it is appropriate to die.

Children can only benefit from such teachings. - LD Wilson, Guisborough.

PRINCE WILLIAM

HAD anyone else had their 21st birthday party gatecrashed thanks to police negligence, laziness and unconcern, it would have ranked as a total non-event with the police themselves.

Similarly, if anyone other than the heir to the throne had been put at potential risk as a result of police ineptitude, incompetence and irresponsibility (which is the actual case with all of us in the lowest social stratum, is it not?) it would have scarcely elicited a yawn from the constabulary.

Therefore, in highlighting the utter uselessness of our police so-called service by stealing the show in Windsor Castle (Echo, June 23) the twit concerned may have done us a small favour. - T Kelly, Crook.

DURHAM CITY COUNCIL

MICK Bennett (HAS, June 2) seems to suggest that Labour only lost Durham City in the recent local elections as the result of a "LibDem con trick".

Seventeen Labour councillors, Mr Bennett included, would not have lost if people did not think that Liberal Democrats would provide real leadership for the city council, based around a manifesto promising a council that was "open, fair and honest" and hard work for their constituents.

Given the emphatic Liberal Democrat victory on May 1, the residents of Durham obviously share our vision for the city, and feel that it is the Liberal Democrats, not Labour, who can deliver on it. - Coun Neil Shaw, LibDem, Durham City, Pelaw & Gilesgate.