Sir,

It's wonderful that Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw has suddenly discovered his enthusiasm for a referendum, Bradshaw welcomes 'Alternative Vote' move, Echo, February 3.

After all, he, like the rest of our MPs, was elected on the promise of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

Strangely, his enthusiasm for that referendum waned as soon as the election was won, and the Labour Government cynically reneged on its promise, with Mr Bradshaw being typically 'on message' and touting the party line that the treaty wasn't the same as the European Constitution and therefore didn't require a referendum.

Unfortunately the Tories — remember the cast-iron 'guarantee'? — and the Lib Dems — their contortions to get out of their promise are on record — followed suit, so it seems that Mr Bradshaw is, like the rest of our MPs, only enthusiastic about referenda on issues that will profit members of his party and himself.

Nothing will win back the confidence of the voters, short of throwing out the current crop of MPs and starting afresh after a General Election with MPs that put the interests of their country before their parties' and their own.

The voters haven't forgotten and they haven't forgiven —just remember the European Election results! So I, and many others, will vote for UKIP, as it is the only party with a comprehensive program to put the UK back on its feet and clear out the "Stygian Stables" we call our Parliament, before tackling the even bigger cesspool called the European Parliament.

Mr AT Dudgeon Address withheld on request