The over-reaction and appalling jingoism of most sections of the media following the tragic events of September 11 were almost matched by their over-enthusiastic and totally unbiased welcome for the launch of the euro on New Year's Day.

Far from being a joyous event, the people on the Continent have entered their darkest era, not witnessed for hundreds of years.

The significance of the single currency has nothing to do with its value in monetary identity and the right to self-government that has hitherto underpinned the freedom of millions of citizens in Europe.

They have been led, often kicking and screaming, into political union within a super-state, which gloats over its achievement in destroying the whole concept of nationhood.

The British are distinguishable from others living on the Continent because we have the Magna Carta, the Queen's Coronation oath and the oaths of allegiance taken by our politicians and Establishment, all of which are supposed to protect us from the destruction of our nation-state.

However, the members of the pro-European lobby are either ignorant of such matters or, like the politicians they support, consider they have a right to brush them aside, seemingly unaware of the existence of the severe penalties for what amounts to treason.

Her Majesty the Queen has been placed in breach of her Coronation oath, which requires her to rule us in accordance with our laws and customs, and politicians have sworn an oath of allegiance to both Queen and country and to the European Union.

No man can serve two masters but, to self-seeking politicians, such matters take second place to personal gain.

As the seeds of future armed conflict are sown, only one thing stands in the way of Britain's complete subservience to Brussels - the pound sterling. Are we really going to give them that?

-Donald Creighton, Banner Way, Stone Cross