People say they are pleased that the Lisbon Treaty "allows the UK to leave the EU," however, this is hardly liberation.

Prior to the Lisbon Treaty, the UK as a Sovereign State, via the Westminster parliament, could vote independently to leave the EU, exclaiming, "Bye bye political domination and hello trade!"

The Lisbon Treaty straight jacket includes a clause stating that a member state leaving the EU must give two years' notice, to be considered for two years by the other States, excluding the applicant member. Presumably they have power to say "No." Why would any sober person from the world's 5th largest economy sign up to a cockeyed imposition like that? This incited me to ask the unwanted question, "Will they send in the tanks?"

EU membership costs the UK 55.4 billion pounds a year according to the Bruges Group, yet if we left tomorrow our EU trade would remain the same, because they send us more goods than we send to them.

This month the EU is threatening us with the Euro currency securing our inclusion into a United States of Europe or "a European Empire," as the EU Commission President calls it, where happy politicians can earn more.

With 75% of our law made by the EU, open borders to allow unlimited EU migration and the chancellor admitting that he could not reduce VAT below 15% without EU approval need I say more?

I'm an EU captive, get me out of here.

MIKE NATTRASS MEP