14 FEBRUARY 1981, Page 18

Shades of opinion

Sir: I have often wondered why your cover (whether it be new and glossy or old and lack-lustre) is sometimes red and sometimes blue. Perhaps you are trying to assert your impartiality. If your cover were always blue you would be right-wing, and if it were always red you would be left-wing. As it is either blue or red, I have come to the conclusion, not that you are impartial, but that you swing from one extreme to the other on alternate weeks. By way of evidence let me remind you of your last four covers: the Wembley Conference (red), Ronald Reagan (blue); the Red Brigades (red); Norman St John-Stevas (blue). May,1 propose a subtle shade of purple? I think It would go well with your new image, and endear itself to those of your readers who find the new cover lacking in some way.

Nicholas D. Butt University College, The Castle, Durham