The end is nigh. Democracy has been mortally wounded in Westminster and our omnipotent, unelected Gordon Brown has just about destroyed any remaining trust that the populace had in our politicians.

To what end eludes me as he will probably never be elected to govern this once great nation of ours.

Well done, the Tories, the 29 Labour rebels and the three Lib Dems who resigned after they all voted for a referendum on behalf of the people they represent over the EU constitution/treaty.

Nick Clegg's instruction to the Lib Dems to abstain was a gutless act.

He probably thinks his party won't get the blame when this whole Europe charade goes wrong, by not voting one way or the other.

I much prefer Cleggy from Last of the Summer Wine, a much more trustworthy fellow.

The Lib Dems could never govern this country - you have only got to look at the cock-up they have made in running our local council the last two years.

In a couple of years, when we have the euro in our pockets, it won't matter who gets elected - they will be string puppets and redundant in their present roles.

Maybe they will all be re-employed by that exclusive club in Euroland. There are plenty of jobs for the boys there - some could even qualify as bar stewards.

Never mind, look on the bright side, perhaps we can now have our goods and services at the lower prices they have in Europe and who knows, our state pensions, which are currently 17 per cent of our national average wage, will increase to 30 per cent, the lowest in Europe or, if we are really lucky, 57 per cent, the highest!

Blimey, who am I trying to kid? Pigs will be able to fly before we ever get any benefits like that.

Good luck to you, Gordon - you can continue to collude with the unelected management of Euroland. You alone know what your mission is - we lesser mortals haven't a clue.

MICHAEL CLARKE Lewell Avenue Old Marston Oxford