ONCE more the matter of a referendum for Europe is in the news.

But this time it really is only a matter of months before it will be too late for discussion: the EU Treaty will have become an accomplished fact.

Unless, that is, we get together to ensure the warmed-up but still recognisable piece of paper does not become ratified by our Parliament.

Gordon Brown is again dodging from here to there in an effort to give the impression he is in charge and is confident in what he is doing, when his actions belie this.

But for reasons best known to himself he will sign, I am sure, and so I feel it is up to us to prevent things getting further than this.

Despite the promise made in his party's last election manifesto to "put the Constitutional Treaty to the British people in a referendum", Gordon Brown clearly has no intention of doing so.

His excuse the treaty is nothing like its predecessor - the EU Constitution - does not hold water. It is some 90 per cent like it, and polls show more than 70 per cent of our people still want the referendum they were promised.

And after all, if this new concoction were such a good thing, why would Brown want to keep us from expressing our wishes?

So, let us keep this matter on the boil, and make sure we are not trampled on by those who put their own wellbeing before our freedom.

One thing is certain, if they succeed we shall never again be a land of hope or glory.

DAVID ALSTON

Address supplied