Letter: European tax union is bound to follow from a single currency

Sir: Your headline "Now Britain faces single European tax system" (16 January) illustrates the dilemma the Government has got itself into by frustrating the development of democracy within Europe.

The Government chooses to deal through the Council of Ministers, an unelected body, strong in personalities and Franco-German interests. It has given strength to the Council of Ministers at the expense of the European Parliament and even of the European Commission. The Council, namely Helmut Kohl and Jacques Chirac, have perforce led the opposition to John Major's equivocations and responded by hard political manoeuvring.

A more positive approach from Britain would lead to a more democratic and a looser federal system embodying the principle of subsidiarity.

EDMUND CRITCHLEY

Blackburn, Lancashire