THE vote the majority of MPs took in the House of Commons last week flies in the face of democracy.

Polls show that the people of this country not only want a referendum but want “out” of the European Union.

Yet, more than 400 MPs voted “No”.

Since the general election, promises have been broken and pledges ignored, with an increase in the EU budget (albeit reduced from the original demand), the scrapping of Harrier jets and a deal that, in theory, hands over aircraft carriers to the French, it could all be mistaken for a plot in a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta.

However, this is reality.

Far from ‘defending’ the national interest, the present Coalition has let us all down.

However, locally, Andrew Smith MP (plus Caroline Lucas) must be congratulated for voting in favour of a referendum in the name of democracy.

As for the other county MPs, they are obviously oblivious to the wishes of the majority!

JOHN MADEN UKIP Oxford