Who's Playing Walter Mitty ?
SIR,—Alan Watkins may write good English and at the same time write inaccurately and sometimes mali- ciously on political matters. How does he know what Mr Callaghan said at private meetings of Labour MPs or in exactly what context he spoke? Was he snooping at the keyhole of the door each time, or did he contact a few gossips who exist to be flattered by the press in all parties? It would be interesting to know!
The fact is that the economic effect on us of the further application of sanctions on Rhodesia has been grossly exaggerated in anti-Government quarters as has also any likely adverse relationship with South Africa resulting from them. It is surpris- ing that informed critics who plug a silly self-pitying analysis of the position, invariably fail to point out that a mere 5 per cent of British exports go to South Africa, but nearly 30 per cent of South African exports find a market here. Is it reasonable in the light of this fact to be as afraid of offending South Africa in the course of human justice and moral principles as so many Government critics seem to be, albeit that Mr Wilson naturally wishes to cut out all avoidable difficulties which do not infringe the Cabinet's policy? One hopes that the 'best-ever- for-years' trade figures just announced will do some- thing to reassure such timid souls as your political correspondent.
T. C. SKEFFINGTON-LODGE 5 Powis Grove, Brighton, Sussex
[Alan Watkins writes: `Mr Skeffington-Lodge has been out of active politics so long that he has prob- ably forgotten how political correspondents obtain their information. As to the effect of sanctions, my object was not to express a personal opinion but to report a view held in the Government. As it hap- pens, my own view is that it is the Government which has been timid over sanctions.']
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