25 SEPTEMBER 1999, Page 41

Bonjour Bretagne

From Mr David Woodhead Sir: It's even more peculiar than the great Peregrine Worsthorne thinks (As I was say- ing, 4 September). It is, for example, com- mon to find Europhobes foaming at the mouth about the United Kingdom allegedly being swallowed up in a European super- state but happily contemplating our becom- ing the 51st state. Indeed, one wonders why Baroness Thatcher does not take up per- manent residence in Texas.

Sir Peregrine is right. Since we import all the worst cultural features of the United States, the most important reason for a clos- er relationship with our European neigh- bours is a cultural one: to assert continental influences to diminish those from across the Atlantic, which are the real threat to any distinctiveness Britain may still claim.

David Woodhead

29 Randalls Road, Leatherhead, Surrey