DARK forces are plotting the downfall of Gordon Brown, says Hugh Pender (HAS, Jan 21). The 2005 Labour manifesto states: "We will put the new EU Constitutional Treaty to the British people in a referendum."

Every major political party then committed to a national referendum on this and Mr Brown later said: "The manifesto is what we put to the public. We have got to honour that manifesto. That is a matter of trust with the electorate."

The UK Government now claims the referendum is no longer necessary because the new treaty is nothing like the old constitution.

This is categorically disputed by European leaders, parliamentary committees set up to analyse it, and, to their credit, quite a few Labour MPs who are prepared to be honest.

Is not it coming to something when you have to credit a few of the people you elected for honouring a commitment? Is it any wonder people don't vote and have no trust in Government? Is the once Great British public going to meekly accept this? By this treachery is not Mr Brown's own dark force creating his downfall?

John Heslop, Gainford, near Darlington.

IF Hugh Pender is of the opinion that Gordon Brown has done a good job (HAS, Jan 21) then he would do well to avail himself of a book by Vernon Coleman which covers the period that the "prudent" man was responsible for our economy.

This book is not about dark forces plotting in the shire counties, but is a definitive and objective analysis of Gordon Brown's decade as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

It is a horror story which leads any right-minded, sane person to ask what we have done to deserve public servants such as him. It must have been something pretty terrible.

The title of the book? Gordon Is A Moron.

John Routledge, Witton Gilbert, Durham.