WILLIAM Hague was a member of the Tory government which gave away our independence when John Major signed the Maastricht Treaty. Didn't he read it either? Who controls our farming and fishing industries?

Who dictates our laws? Can he remove all the damaging employment legislation forced upon us? Can he stop VAT being put on food and children's clothing?

For him to pretend that he is going to save the pound 'for four years', is pathetic and meaningless. He is perpetrating another con on the British public. Once the Euro coins come into circulation on January 1, 2002 they will be legal tender in the United Kingdom and the only way we can save the pound is to leave the European Union.

Stephen Feaster,

United Kingdom Independence Party, High Farm, Cropton,

Pickering.