IT is curious that the new EU Constitution just signed in Rome has been labelled by all the other EU Member States as one of the most fundamental Treaties affecting the European Union, when our own Government long maintained it was simply "a tidying-up exercise".

No amount of Labour spin can disguise the fact that the proposals enshrined in this Treaty are indeed fundamental.

Thanks to pressure from people across the country, we shall have a national referendum on whether or not this Treaty should be ratified.

A Conservative Government would take the lead and call this referendum as soon as possible after a presumed May General Election. As the UK holds the six-month Presidency of the European Council from July 2005, a "no" vote would give us the maximum leverage to drive real and positive change in the EU sooner rather than later.

PHILIP BUSHILL-MATTHEWS,

MEP European Parliament, Brussels (& Conservative Office, Sansome Place, Worcester).

n I REFER to the latest changes to the 37/38 Bus Service which for anyone wishing to travel to the Barbourne/Tything area of Worcester is now one bus per hour.

Not content with no evening or Sunday buses, this is of little help to the many people, who like myself, are elderly and in poor health, therefore rely on them.

After trying for three days, I finally spoke to a "First" Manager. He, together with the county council transport manager, suggested we plan our journeys to fit their timetable.

This is Worcester 2004. It's more like living in the "outback".

GERALD BULLENG,

Worcester.