MR Lloyd's letter  (December 8) omitted a most important point. While both our local Conservative MPs, Mel Stride and Geoffrey Cox, maintain that they are strongly Eurosceptic neither voted in favour of a referendum in the recent Commons debate. Despite the three-line whip that the Prime Minister saw fit to wield, 81 other Tories defied it.

Doubtless those of their supporters who favour an early referendum on Europe will have taken steps to make Messrs Stride and Cox aware of their feelings.

The problem is, of course, that to show their displeasure at the ballot box by voting for UKIP simply amounts to a vote for the Lib Dems! I'd rather vote Labour!

R A Neon Reynolds

Close Hill

Bridestowe