HURRAH for John Ashworth! (Letters, September 11). At long last someone from the Conservative Party has the foresight and courage to nail their colours to the mast over the Euro/EU issues. However, I wish that similar views would be forthcoming from the party hierarchy including Ian Duncan-Smith and Teresa May. The only noises from Smith Square are the mealy-mouthed meaningless popular promises that the Conservative Party has an all-embracing policy/nice to everyone approach. There is a deafening hush from the opposition whilst President Blair and New Labour continue to mismanage the economy and fail to get to grips with the real problems facing this country such as the paramount need to say NO never to the Euro and to withdraw from the EU. Blair and his cronies continue to parade around the globe offering advice to all, but neglecting our own problems and now he threatens to embroil the UK in an unjustified - as yet - and potentially disastrous conflict with Iraq.

Yes, Mr Ashcroft, the Euro is a disaster zone and whilst the Conservative Party fails to make clear sound policies on this issue it will be viewed as an ineffective alternative to New Labour. The party will continue to occupy an insignificant and diminishing role in UK politics, so it must be no to the Euro - now - and to stop further erosion of our economy, competitiveness world-wide, agriculture, fishing and independence from the shackles of the EU federalist superstate.

DAVID W WRIGHT

Easingwold

Updated: 10:27 Wednesday, September 25, 2002