Sir, – Is it a mere coincidence that all those parties offering a referendum on our continued membership of the EU did better in English constituencies than they had in the past?
Of course not.Those that did not offer a referendum declined in their voter numbers in England too.
Labour may not be quite so far away from a return to office as some people believe. I am really pleased for the country that Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson are stepping forward to help Labour now. Our democracy needs credible alternative choices.
If we have the long promised referendum in 2017 the EU issue will be settled. If we do not, an about face of Labour policy on this issue of a referendum is essential for Labour's recovery.
Of course, Peter Mandelson may not like it. Tony Blair may not like it either. They won three successive Labour victories but they weren't invariably right over issues such as tuition fees or Iraq for instance or even A and E in Hartlepool.
NIGEL F BODDY
Lib Dem candidate Hartlepool 2001
Fife Road, Darlington.
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