Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of Latin is aware that the word "veto" means "I forbid" ("Cornered Cameron cuts Britain adrift from Europe", The Herald, December 10).

We are told that the arithmetical consequence of David Cameron, our Prime Minister, using his veto at the EU summit is that the UK now constitutes the 1 in a 26-1 result. At this point one thinks of the story in which the mother watching the regiment marching past says that "Every one is out of step except our Johnnie".

There are some who applaud that result such as those who are described as Euro sceptics. There are some who deplore that result who are described as Liberal Democrat Europhiles.

However, most people in my opinion, while lacking total comprehension of all the implications at this point, view that result with some apprehension and fear for the future, particularly at this time of financial uncertainty, because, come what may, they feel that the consequences for them and their country are likely to be more than rudimentary.

Ian W Thomson,

38 Kirkintilloch Road, Lenzie.

I AGREE with Andrew McKie's reasoning that David Cameron was right to exercise Britain's veto, and moreover wonder how Britain, if it wished to attend, could be excluded from any meetings of the 26 other members if those meetings were to be organised by the existing EU bureaucracy and take place in existing EU buildings, for which Britain routinely pays as part of its substantial annual contribution ("Why Cameron was right to draw a line in the sand", The Herald, December 12).

I believe this is the first veto by Britain, and in view of the huff taken in particular by France, it would be of interest to learn whether they, and any of the other major EU countries, have ever exercised their veto and, if so, their reasons for so doing.

Alan Fitzpatrick,

10 Solomon's View, Dunlop.

The unedifying spectacle of the British Prime Minister throwing the toys out of the pram last week can only be matched by the equally unedifying spectacle of the Deputy Prime Minister distancing himself from his Coalition partner ("Coalition in crisis", The Herald, December 12). The marriage of convenience has become highly inconvenient, but to save his party's political skin from the wrath of the voters Nick Clegg will continue to the bitter end with this dreary Conservative/Lib Dem charade which passes for Government.

Perhaps the estranged Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg have more in common than they think. Both still have the gall to publicly say that they want to see the UK as leaders and main players in Europe. Maybe this insatiable desire, not just to be a part of Europe, contributing as one of many, but to be the leader of the pack is what has turned off so many other countries, and has left Britain lonely and isolated; not ruling the waves, and with a Government of two halves which appear to be totally at odds with each other, increasingly unfit to rule herself.

Ruth Marr,

99 Grampian Road, Stirling.

David Cameron's veto has left the Europeans pretty much out in the cold, and looking pretty silly. Did they really think through the consequences of their rash decisions?

Christopher Frew,

320, Leith Walk,

Edinburgh.

John Brand of the European Movement says, in his criticism of Mr Cameron's veto, "in a short few years the expanded and integrated Eurozone will be powering ahead" (Letters, December 10). Is this by any chance the same Eurozone which was recently on the brink of collapse and is still far from out of the woods?

David S W Williamson,

49 Pinnaclehill Park, Kelso.