REFERRING to the letter from John Downing (Crow Postbag, August 30), I agree with the assessment that the so-called EU Reform Treaty is a blatant attempt to force this country to accept, by stealth, the previously rejected (by France and Holland) EU Const

REFERRING to the letter from John Downing (Crow Postbag, August 30), I agree with the assessment that the so-called EU Reform Treaty is a blatant attempt to force this country to accept, by stealth, the previously rejected (by France and Holland) EU Constitution.

It is essential, therefore that a simple and single question referendum be held on the acceptance/rejection of the EU Reform Treaty.

The Opinion column and the article headed Countryside under "greatest threat" both refer to the Government's determination to force on this region a massive amount of new housing.

This is regardless of this region's ability to cope with, or the willingness of this region's people to accept, such over-development.

Both of these items are related by, and because of, Britain's continued membership of the EU.

The massive influx of EU economic migrants who enter this country through Europe will certainly take-up a considerable portion of the available housing in this region.

As the EU expands (almost certainly to include Turkey) so will the influx of more people and so will the demand for even more housing to be built in this area.

This problem is self-feeding. As more housing is built, more people will move into the region and demand will continue to exceed supply.

And local people will continue to be priced out of the market.

The EU is anti-democratic if only in that the EU Commission is not an elected body and is not answerable to the electorate.

This leaves the EU free to pursue its federalistic ambitions regardless of the democratic wish of the people of any or all member States.

So yes, we must have a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty.

But if we wish to safeguard our democracy and reaffirm Britain's sovereignty, then we must also demand a fair and single question referendum on Britain's continued membership of the EU.

MR HUTCHINS

Ackroyd Road

Royston