The erratic thinking of UKIP is clearly expressed by the bizarre and contradictory words of their supporters (Letters, November 24).

There is no President of Europe. The existing chairmanship of the Council of Ministers (one of the meanings of President in most European languages) will no longer change inefficiently every six months but will be a more continuing position. The PM of a small country is an ideal choice.

Our public executives are never directly elected. Both he and the High Representative were appointed, as are all our leading figures by elected bodies, in this case the heads of the 27 democratic governments of the EU.

Baroness Ashton was carefully chosen as the most capable person to co-ordinate the agreed views of Europe (and the British Government must in every case consent to what she says) to deal with the immense problems we face confronted with global warming, the energy monopoly of Russia, the financial dominance of China and the formidable power of the US. Britain alone would not be heeded. However, she is not yet in office. She has to be cross-examined and approved by the European Parliament. As a Commissioner she was confirmed by the unusually large majority of 538-40.

Nobody has to swear allegiance to any appointed public figure. However, your correspondent seems to imply that allegiance could be sworn to a publicly elected European President. He or she would certainly be an Obama-like figure, but such a position has never been proposed. Obviously, it is the exact opposite of what UKIP wanted, but it does illustrate its lack of clear thinking that it should point us in that direction.

Derek J Cole, Anglesea Terrace, St Leonards