MILLIONS of working people feel abandoned by the main political parties, which support EU diktats demanding the privatisation of our public services, from the Royal Mail to our rail networks.

Like most voters, we reject the renamed EU constitution – the Lisbon Treaty – which enshrines privatisation as a legal requirement at a time when this discredited economic agenda has clearly failed.

The “New Labour”

Government reneged on its 2005 election promise to hold a referendum on the issue. The Socialist Labour Party wants to give people the chance to reject the treaty.

On June 4, voters can send a message to politicians that they have no mandate to surrender our democratic right to decide how we are governed.

In protest at the wholesale attacks on democracy by EU institutions we will, if elected, only nominally hold the title MEP and will not board the notorious EU gravy train.

We will continue to campaign against the Lisbon Treaty and for the repatriation of democratic powers to the member states.

The Socialist Labour Party is contesting all UK regions except Northern Ireland.

Mike York, John Taylor and Tony Dodsworth, Socialist Labour Party Candidates, North-East England Region.

YOUR letter from Charlotte Bull, of the UK Independence Party (HAS, May 5), quotes the estimated cost of implementing European Union laws over ten years in this country.

Such laws do not touch national subjects such as education, the health service, local authorities, social security, income tax. The EU cannot touch these areas.

The EU Commission initiates laws to remove obstacles to trade and cooperation between member states. Workers in the UK have benefited since Britain agreed to the EU Social Chapter in 1997.

Among these benefits, one must mention a guaranteed 20 days holiday a year, improved working conditions, increases in parental leave and trade union rights. Parliamentary departments in the UK are very active in scrutinising new legislation, which will only be accepted if our own Westminster parliament approves.

The election of new MEPs for the next five years is on June 4 and it is important for all who are entitled to vote. You have a direct link to those in the European Parliament who work for you through the MEP in your area.

It was good to have the help of The Northern Echo with names, facts, and figures about the Euro elections, as in your issue of May 8.

Ms E Whittaker, Richmond, North Yorkshire.

THE European Parliament elections are taking place on Thursday, June 4. Are you ready to have your say?

One in five North-Easterners, that’s more than 500,000 people who are eligible to vote, may not register in time. If you’re one, you could miss your chance to choose who represents you and the region in Europe.

The European Parliament makes decisions that have a direct impact on the North-East.

Crucial legislation on a vast range of issues, from air pollution and climate change to rights at work and asylum, is set at the European level.

All UK, EU and Commonwealth citizens living in the North-East are eligible to vote, but must be registered on the electoral role. The deadline for registering is next Tuesday.

Contact your local council to register, and to sort out a postal vote or a proxy vote if you need one.

Of course, we’d prefer it if you voted Green, but the important thing is to vote. You need to vote to have a voice. Make sure nothing stops you.

Shirley Ford (South Shields), Iris Ryder (Hartlepool) and Nic Best (Morpeth), Green Party Euro Candidates, North-East Region.

SINCE writing to say I would not turn out to vote in the European Elections (HAS, May 6), I have received further information which has persuaded me to make a U-turn.

A new alliance of organisations and individuals led by the RMT union, headed by general secretary Bob Crow, is to contest all UK constituencies, except Northern Ireland, under the title of No2EU.

I shall be voting for the new alliance myself and hope that many of your readers will do the same.

John W Antill, Darlington