10 JUNE 2000, Page 26

From Mr A.N. Binder Sir: The Laura Spence/Magdalen affair has

one redeeming feature: dons are squirming in a most amusing way. Mrs Thatcher was denied an honorary degree amid much self- righteous trumpeting of the need to stand up for the rights of British universities to be properly (infinitely) funded. Blair arrives. Tuition subsidies are cut. Much amazed lip- sucking ensues. Now the heavy brigade of Brown and Prescott inveighs against Oxford and Cambridge independence. Quelle trahison des clercs! Blair's chances of getting an honorary degree must now be worse than yours, sir.

A.N. Binder

(Magdalen 1949-53), Speldhurst, Kent