THE Tories are split from top to bottom on Europe. With a leadership fundamentally anti-Europe, they oppose every move to help British business be prepared for the single currency. They are blinded by their own internal war and not what is best for Britain and best for business.

On hearing the debate on the single currency recently the first thing that became obvious was that William Hague does not have a credible policy on Europe. He says he is against it in principle and talks about protecting a thousand years of British history but when asked will he therefore rule it out for good he refuses. Is his policy to protect our history only for the next five years? What will come after the five years - more division and infighting?

These are questions that need to be asked as British business needs to know how all this country's politicians would deal with the euro. By refusing to rule out the euro for good Mr Hague is either withholding a secret agenda to accept the euro whilst appearing euro-sceptic in order to appease the fanatical right wing in his cabinet or he is simply lost and unable to undertake the job that has been given to him. On a number of occasions now Mr Hague has shown that he is not up to the job as he does not have the metal needed to govern or even lead a party. By far the most worrying thing for him at this time is that he will know that many of his backbenchers feel exactly the same. With politicians like Michael Portillo and Chris Patten waiting for safe seats at the next election William Hague's future is dodgy to say the least.

M Schmid

Lower Landedmans

Westhoughton

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