CAPITAL OF CULTURE

THE last few days, since Newcastle-Gateshead was pipped at the post for the Capital of Culture title, have been a revelation.

It's timely now to say a heartfelt thank you to the hundreds of thousands of people across the North-East region who have given so much of their time, ideas, enthusiasm and inspiration. Without them there could not have been such a vibrant, unique and important bid of such significance for the future for generations to come in this region.

Over the past few days people have enjoyed events that have been watched all over the world - from the Buena Vista Social Club's only UK date outside London to the award-winning fashion by design students at Northumbria University, from the brilliant Test Match debut at the Riverside ground in Durham to the triumphant England international in Middlesbrough.

It is thanks to the commitment of this region to culture that there is so much to look forward to. It will keep the international spotlight on us and keep the tourists, new businesses and new residents coming in.

The media which made Newcastle-Gateshead the nation's favourite has reinforced the view that this region was a victim only of its own great success - and has placed this part of the country in the same league as much bigger places like Manchester or Edinburgh in terms of what they expect from us now.

The bid provides the foundations upon which we can make the whole of the North-East an even more exciting place to live, work and visit. - Sir Ian Wrigglesworth, Chairman, Newcastle-Gateshead Initiative.

EUROPE

THOSE attacking the proposed European Union constitution would do well to raise their heads from their prejudices to discover what it actually says.

In the preamble can be found the following:

"While proud of their own national identities and history, the peoples of Europe and determined to transcend their ancient divisions and, ever more closely united, to forge a common identity.

"United in diversity, the reunited Europe intends to continue along the path of civilisation, progress and prosperity for the good of all its inhabitants, including the weak and most deprived... it wishes to deepen the democratic nature of its public life and to strive for peace, justice and solidarity throughout the world."

At last the EU is seeking to lay out its vision for all its people. All power to its elbow. - R Ashby, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

TONY Blair says of the European Union: "My point to the people is very simple: if Britain is a member of this club... " (Echo June 11).

The most important word in this statement is 'if'.

A lot does depend on whether or not we are a member. Why are we half-hearted about it, Mr Blair asks. Answer: because a majority of the people of Britain would rather we withdraw from Europe.

We will now be bombarded with propaganda sponsored by the Government to brainwash us into accepting the euro. What would be far better and far more honest would be for us to have a referendum on the whole European question. This would settle the argument about the euro and the proposed European constitution.

If the people vote yes to Europe, then Mr Blair can cheerfully continue his present scheme of handing Britain over to Europe in return for him becoming President. If, as is more likely, the people vote no, then the millions of pounds Mr Blair intends to spend on trying to get his own way can be spent on other things.

Listen to the people you are supposed to be serving, Prime Minister. The majority don't want to be in a European superstate. Let us have a referendum to prove the point. You should not be afraid to hear the truth, even if it is a truth you don't like.- EA Moralee, Billingham.

THE people of Poland voted four to one in their referendum to join the European Union. We should welcome them warmly. It is the largest of the East European, formerly communist dominated, states, which have signed their accession treaties and hope to become full members of the EU in May 2004.

To make the EU truly representative of Europe, it should not be just a rich men's club, but care for the less fortunate states who want to join.

Peace and prosperity have benefited the existing 15 members, some of which were quite poor to begin with. The common gain promises to be considerable when the enlargement of the EU takes place, both for the older 15 and the ten new members.

The purpose of the proposed new constitution for the EU is to make a union of 25 members workable and efficiently run. - DJ and M Whittaker, Richmond.

ALAN MILBURN

IF Alan Milburn is quitting the Cabinet because he wants to spend more time with his family, he might consider getting married.

Many National Health doctors work hours as long as he did and do a much more worthwhile job, yet they do not resign for 'family reasons'.

Perhaps having been a minister in Tony Blair's weird Government - where wrong is right, decent ideals are treated with contempt and any opposition is looked on contemptuously, not as free speech, but as an act of treachery - Alan Milburn may have forgotten that decent society has, over centuries, developed standards which enable us to live in a decent society. One of these standards is the sanctity of marriage. - C Emett, Darlington.