LETTERS
From Gwynfor Evans, MP, the Rev Ronald Nevin, Dr Donald M. Bowers, L. E. Weid- berg, T. C. Skeffington-Lodge, Sir Walter Howard.
Britain and Europe
Sir: For English politicians, writers and historians there is as a rule one nation only on this island. One hears or reads continually of 'the nation' or 'the country as a whole'. When they remember to do so they call this nation the British nation, but it is of England they think and often speak and write. England is deemed to be synonymous with Britain. Governments normally think of England and apply in Wales and Scotland the policies they think to be good for England.
In Robert Skidelsky's article, 'The nature of Britain's dilemma' (25 May) I counted thirty-nine references to Britain or variations and sixteen references to England or varia- tions. Sometimes both forms were used in the same sentence, synonymously.
This practice obliterates the identity of Wales and Scotland. It is the basis of the practice of ignoring the national parties of the two countries on television since the elec- tion date has been announced. One hears continually on the Welsh channels of 'the three main parties' or of 'all three parties'. These do not include Plaid Cymru but do include the Liberal party which is fighting half or less the number of seats in Wales which are being fought by Plaid Cymru.
Wales as an entity is ignored. We are a part of England or Britain, which are synonymous, and therefore Plaid Cymru has not yet rated for a single item on the London news put out on the Welsh channels for con- sumption by the Welsh people.
Gwynfor Evans
House of Commons, London swl
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