DOES the final draft of the constitution represent the 'tyranny' claimed by some newspapers? I think most people will judge it as a fair attempt to ensure that a Europe of 25 nations can work more openly and effectively than at present.

It signals an end to the secrecy behind which government ministers have met to decide EU laws, enabling them to be held to account by the House of Commons. It gives national parliaments the right to object and together in practice to overturn European Commission proposals on matters best dealt with domestically, and it spells out that any country has an absolute right to leave the EU.

The constitution strengthens the legal rights of individuals across the EU, something that our own government disgracefully tried to prevent. It reduces the use of the national veto that has so often been used by France and Spain to block change, and to provide balance it extends the law-making powers of the European Parliament across the range of EU work.

The word bears the hallmarks of inevitable compromises. In Britain we often overlook that small nations in Europe want protection from being ignored or overruled by big countries like ourselves.

Those who want a world dominated by George W Bush will fine plenty to criticise. For my part I want Britain with the European Union to play a more effective role in world affairs so I welcome the plans for better co-ordination between governments. I give the constitution a guarded welcome. It is a great deal better than the treaties we have at present.

CHRIS DAVIES Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West, Castle Street, Stockport.