19 JULY 2003, Page 24

From Mr Lawrie Brownlee Sir: Leo McKinstry's article on regionalisation

is welcome, and essential to keep the public informed on this pernicious additional layer of bureaucracy.

Everyone on the Continent understands that regionalisation is part of the EU project, but in this country it is disguised as 'devolution'.

One of my colleagues who was peacefully protesting against these unelected assemblies was accused of acting like a Nazi by a leading Church of England clergyman. This bizarre accusation is even less understandable when one considers the source of the EU project. The idea of the regionalisation of Europe was conceived by the Nazis in the early 1940s under the title of Europdische Wirtschaft.sgemeinschaft'.

Is it any wonder that the EU fanatics who believe in regionalisation support such an undemocratic institution?

Lawrie Brownlee

Sidmouth, Devon