IN REPLY to David Bullen (Letters, January 16), because John major signed the Maastricht Treaty does not mean that he believes in, or wants, a federal Europe.

Indeed, the Prime Minister has stated on a number of occasions that, while he believes that Britain should be at the heart of Europe, he is totally opposed to a European super-state.

And on the question of a single currency, he has hinted that he will hold a referendum and let the British people decide whether we should join in or not.

I suspect that, like me, Mr Bullen is also totally opposed to a federal Europe.

But if he is not going to vote Conservative because Mr Major signed the Maastricht Treaty, then who is he going to vote for.

The Liberal Democrats openly believe in a federal Europe.

And the Labour Party, under Tony Blair's leadership, is more pro-European now than at any time in its entire history.

It is difficult to envisage Mr Blair, with his pro-European beliefs, fighting to keep Britain independent from a European super-state.

DAVID PEARSON, vice-chairman, Blackburn Conservatives, Kendal Street, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.