What though when we can identify those who might have inherited a genetic predisposition to a short temper?

What, though, when we can identify those who might have inherited a genetic predisposition to a short temper? Shall we punish people for being what they are by nature?Dr GARY SLAPPERThe Law programmeThe Open UniversityMilton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. Sir: Emmet Donegan's letter "Trees under attack" (11 June), provides a timely reminder of the absence of adequate protection for our trees and woods. It was disappointing that the draft regulations published last year taking forward the 1994 Tree Preservation Order (TPO) Review were more notable for the amount of power they delegated to local planning authorities than for addressing matters such as increased penalties for illegal felling. The main statement of government advice to local authorities on woodland in England and Wales, Circular 36/78 Trees and Forestry, is over 20 years old and in need of substantial revision. Nowhere, however, is the absence of proper protection for our trees and woods more apparent than in relation to ancient woodland. Ancient woodland is one of the great, irreplaceable glories of our natural heritage and home to more threatened species than any other habitat in the UK, yet it continues to be subject to alarming losses due to development pressures, particularly in the South-east. The England Forestry Strategy promises to review the effectiveness of existing protection for ancient woodland but it is crucial that this commitment is acted upon as a matter of urgency and that similar pledges are forthcoming across the whole of the UK.MIKE TOWNSENDChief ExecutiveThe Woodland TrustGrantham, Lincolnshire. Sir: Many thanks to Richard McClure for his most timely article about the floral display in the city of Bath (14June).

For some time now, family and friends have been trying to convince me that I have a serious problem which requires urgent treatment I have been unable to understand their concern. However, your article showed me that I may well have a terminal case of bad taste. You see, I really like the hanging baskets They bring a smile to my face every time I am in Bath. They just look so cheerful!I am now willing to admit that I have suffered a serious lapse of good taste and recognise the need for behaviour therapy so that I will be able to fully appreciate the tasteful geometric displays which will, no doubt, be angling for the tourists' attention next summerJANIS THOMSONOakhill, Somerset. IS TONY Blair the most dangerous man in Britain? In the light of his party's disastrous showing in the European elections - the worst since he became leader - the answer may well be "yes". Dangerous, that is, in the sense that Mr Blair's complacency about Europe has now put the prospect of Britain's ever joining the euro in jeopardy, with all the damaging implications that has for the long-term health of our economy. Mr Blair has no one to blame but himself for the fact that the Conservatives staged such an impressive and unexpected comeback in the impromptu euro- referendum they organised for the electors last week. We now have the appalling prospect of three representatives of the UK Independence Party (which wants us to leave Europe altogether) being sent to the European Parliament We have reached a turning-point.

Either the fight back for the euro starts here - led by the Prime Minister - or the battle will be lost, with incalculable consequences for jobs and prosperity. Tony Blair has rightly been praised for the courageous leadership that he displayed in the Kosovo crisis. The Independent has also enthusiastically supported his attempt to lead European social democracy along a more realistic path. Some of Mr Blair's European rhetoric is refreshingly positive, and occasionally blunt on important issues such as reform of the CAP. But on the transcendent political issue of his generation - the euro, which will define his administration and its place in history - he has simply funked it and run away. The Government's policy of wait and see, sitting on John Major's fence, accompanied by a stream of euro-sceptical spin, is now unsustainable. If we are ever to enter the euro then the cross-party campaign for a "yes" vote in a referendum must start now. The euro will change everything - not just for the economy, but for the nature of our democracy.

William Hague, to give him credit, has understood this, and divined how the understandable misgivings the British public have about closer integration can be twisted to partisan advantage. With only the Pro-Euro Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and a few business people fighting a wholehearted campaign for an early British entry into EMU, the cause that should have been led by the Prime Minister has fallen by default. Disappointingly, even figures such as Michael Heseltine and Ken Clarke maintained a rather shameful silence. No trumpet was sounded for the European cause.The spin doctors tell us that the Prime Minister and the media were preoccupied with the Balkans war Of course they were. But the Conservatives still managed to get their message across. In any case, people's negative attitudes towards the euro evolved long before the Kosovo crisis. The failure of Mr Blair's leadership on the euro is long-term and dates back to before the last election, when the strategic decision was taken to woo - and appease - elements of the euro-sceptic press.Dismissing the Tories' campaign as "extremist" is unconvincing.

They were not extremist so much as opportunist, taking advantage of the vacuum created by Labour's pusillanimity and, most importantly, getting "their" vote out. Labour failed to do this, most spectacularly in their heartlands. Mrs Beckett, who had the task of overseeing this ill-starred campaign, is a convenient scapegoat, but it is Mr Blair who chose to downplay Europe long ago.Mr Blair says that "we have got to hold firm to the position we have" This is a pity. He is still very popular; but, as Mr Ashdown asks, "What's the point of being so popular if you don't use it for something?" That would be a sad epitaph to Mr Blair's premiership.. THE CONTINUING stand-off between Russia and Nato at Pristina airport is deeply embarrassing to Nato - just as the Russians intended But it need not be anything worse. It is worth treading softly through this immediate political minefield in order to avoid unnecessary explosions.