As a political commentator, however, he shows ignorance in arguing that the drafting convention has done nothing to “deepen the democratic and transparent nature” of the European Union.The draft constitution streamlines the system of EU government, strengthens the rule of law, enhances parliamentary democracy, entrenches fundamental rights and forces the Council of Ministers when passing law to act in public. It is a perfectly acceptable compromise and a very important step forward for European integration – despite the language of the preamble which, in any case, the IGC is minded to edit.Those of us, mostly Lib Dems, who have campaigned in the recent election for the constitution have been rewarded at the ballot box. At one pole of the Europe debate there are many people who want Britain to play a central role in a stronger and more democratic European Union that can stand on its own feet in world affairs.Tony Blair had a bad election campaign This week he has a chance to redeem himself. He should agree to accept a constitutional settlement on terms that respect the common interest of all Europe rather than the narrow, nationalistic view of the UK alone. Mr Blair must begin to act on behalf of those who believe that Britain has a future as a modern European country.ANDREW DUFF MEP Constitutional affairs spokesman, European Liberal Democrats CambridgeSir: My dad loves continental Europe.

He likes nothing more than setting off in his Jaguar for the autoroutes of France; he loves the way the French look after their town squares and the Spanish lay out their tapas.He constantly berates this country, saying we have gone to the dogs as he talks longingly about retiring to the Dordogne or Southern Spain. He also has a healthy contempt for most things American (such as McDonalds, George Bush and brash language).He has also just voted UKIP. So many people in this country love Europe’s civilising ways over our own and America’s, and yet they want out of the European venture. In truth, do they have any idea what they really want?GRAHAM SIMMONDS London SW4Sir: It is depressing that Labour leaders have been expressing pleasure at the inroads made by UKIP into the Tory vote. UKIP scapegoats the EU (by implication, all non-British Europeans) for the ills of society. The Labour Party should eschew the temptation to encourage Tory deserters to UKIP, and Michael Howard should denounce them as strongly as he recently denounced the BNP.ALAN PAVELIN Chislehurst, KentSir: Pamela Schlatterer (“You British, the elections, and your special brand of European hatred”, 10 June) may well project a true picture of anti-European feelings among certain sections of the British public.

Yet to avoid generalisations, it should perhaps be noted that at the instigation of Sir Brian Heap, the Master of St Edmund’s College, University of Cambridge, the College dedicated a special Millennium Garden to British-German Friendship.Opened by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh on 2 May 2002 it is now a prominent and widely used feature of the college. The college chapel further displays a new stained-glass window by the German artist Erika Bauer-Bamberg depicting St Boniface of Credition (c. 675-754), the English Archbishop of Mainz and Apostle of Germany, blessed by Cardinal Cormac Murphy 0′Connor on 21 January 2003.Perhaps we should all remember the words on a plaque in the Cambridge Millennium Garden from a prayer by the German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, written in 1942 while in prison awaiting execution by the Nazis: “Heiliger Geist, gib mir die Liebe zu Gott und den Menschen, die allen Hass und Bitterkeit vertilgt.” (Holy Spirit, give me such love for God and men, as will wipe out all hatred and bitterness.)Professor STEPHEN F FROWEN London N2 England’s defeat Sir: So, a stunning defeat secured in the dying seconds against seemingly impossible odds. How do England do it?Throughout the first half of this absorbing game, their were two teams on the pitch playing intelligent, fluent football based on the premise that it is a good idea to maintain possession of the ball. Constant running and short, inventive passes were the order of the day.From France, this came as no surprise, but it was a delight to see England at it, to remarkably good effect.

But once the goal was in (and a very brilliant goal at that), England reverted to type – huge punts upfield at all costs and regardless of who was on the other end of them. Pity that three times out of four the cost was loss of possession, allowing France to assault our goal again and again.Will our boys never learn that where the ball is on the field matters much less than who is kicking it?CHRIS MARSHALL Forest Row, East Sussex Draconian rule Sir: On Tuesday in the Lords we and our colleagues will be debating the Home Secretary’s amendments to the Asylum and Immigration bill. On the walls of the classroom are notices: “Txt messg read now: DON’T 4GET UR HW”, “DON’T BE BOYED” and “GET NEEKY!” I have to ask for translations. In an earlier version, their teacher, Miss Wootton, tells me, one of the boys included the line: “Your mum’s too ugly to get dates.” It was swiftly, and tactfully, removed.Crisis offers advice on their performance: they could sharpen up their movements, the harmonising and the beat box, but his overall verdict is “fantastic” The bell rings, and we move inside. Then the boys launch into their rap again: “Respect, respect, respect is the key./ I give it to you, and you give it to me.” By the end of the afternoon, I feel I could do it myself. It starts off with mention of “a very smart fella” called Nelson Mandela and moves on to guns, slaves, R&B and the need for freedom. “Miss!” they say, gratifiyingly, “Miss, are we going to be famous?”We start off outside.