25 AUGUST 2001, Page 26

From Mr Gregor Dallas Sir: Andrew Roberts proposes a dubious

piece of architecture. He quotes Winston Churchill's well-known plan of 1947 for a 'Temple of Peace', resting on four pillars: the USA, the Soviet Union, the British empire and Europe. 'Any Eurosceptic could sign up for that statement even today,' adds Roberts, 'if one substituted Russia for the Soviet Union and excised the now defunct British empire.'

With a Russian GNP smaller than Spain's, this basically leaves us with only two pillars — not a tent that I would like to sit in on a windy day. And where is Britain? Holding a stay?

Gregor Dallas

Anet, France