LETTERS Francophile follies
From Gillian Willson-Bardinet Sir: While deploring, as does Sir Peregrine Worsthorne (As I was saying, 4 September), the abolition of Britain, I fear that some of his arguments in favour of a federal Euro- pean remedy are both facile and fallacious.
As an advocate of the European solution, he naturally turns to its chief instigator, and holds up contemporary France as an example. He cites 'the French state's strong support for the family', but this Napoleonic icon has been toppled by Lionel Jospin's feminist-dominated government. Despite Catholic protest marches and some severe Senate amendments, the PACS (Pacte civil de solidarite) has given legal life to the idea of `le couple', be it hetero- or homosexual, as the basic pillar of society. Gay Pride marches do take place regularly in Paris, and abortion has been funded by the Social Security for over 20 years.
I fear, too, that contrary to Sir Peregrine's belief elitism is very much a dirty word, especially in education where the great cry is now '80 per cent of all pupils must obtain the baccalaureate'. Needless to say, this has led to a plummeting of standards.
But, true to form, the French, while bran- dishing slogans, do make sure that the show goes on, and, behind the egalitarian façade, the members of the enarchie (graduates of l'Ecole National d'Administration) wield very real power. This they do through the tyranny of 'la pens& unique'. Whosoever yearns for a French Britain should seriously consider the irony that it is Britain which is the land of liberty, equality and fraternity!
Sir Peregrine's admiration for all things French would seem to have led to his con- tracting that Gallic malady, `la fuite en avant', a rush into the unknown rather than a facing up to the real problems.
Whereas he is right to call for a defence of Britain's civilisation, it is doubtful whether our culture, based on robust personal inde- pendence, would be preserved by our joining a federal Europe. Surely our liberal democ- racy is confident and strong enough now to foster beauty, elegance and harmony with- out having recourse either to a 'British Fran- co' or to European authoritarianism.
Gillian Willson-Bardinet
21 rue Saint-Honore, 78000 Versailles, France
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