A REFERENDUM on the new EU constitution will give Britain a chance to drain the poison spread for too long through the lies and distortions of the eurosceptics.

It will in effect be a referendum on whether Britain is to play its part in making the policies of the European Union, or withdraw to its status as George Bush's personal poodle.

The time is long overdue for eurosceptics to be forced to explain how Britain is going to shape the policies of a single market without being a full member of the EU. They are going to have to tell us how we tackle the immense problems of the environment, of terrorism and organised crime, and of immigration and asylum seekers, without developing common policies with our European partners. The eurosceptics must present practical alternatives, and I look forward to tearing them to shreds.

I commend the website of the UK Independence Party to all those who want to know just how divorced from the realities of the 21st century world these people have become. They will find plenty of cheap criticisms, but nothing that addresses the reasons why even staunch critics like Margaret Thatcher eventually played such an important role in creating the modern European Union. They will also catch the whiff of xenophobia. It is not without reason that stories keep appearing about the links between UKIP and the British National Party.

No political system is perfect. I want major changes made both in European policies and decision-making. The constitution will help make it possible to achieve these reforms. It is in every respect an improvement upon the existing situation. Let battle begin.

Chris Davies

Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West