Historically incorrect
Sir: I rather enjoyed the slice of his spleen that Robin Harris served up as a review of The Five Giants (Books, 29 July), even if it was a little like asking Herod to review a book on care of the new born.
But if he is going to accuse me of bad his- tory and ideological assumptions, he might at least examine his and get his own history right.
Butler did not make `comprehensivisa- don the prevailing doctrine' as he would have learnt from a glance at The Five Giants — the book I wrote, not the one he imagined — or from any history of educa- tion or biography of Butler.
And he should perhaps ponder before he ascribes to me political views I do not in fact hold on the basis that I think some form of welfare state is rather a good idea.
It just so happens — again it is in the book — that both the present Prime Minis- ter (quietly) and the present Chancellor (loudly) are also on record as believers in a welfare state. But then maybe in Mr Har- ris's book, they are not Conservatives, just a couple more people riddled with 'self-righ- teous left-wing prejudice'.
Oh, and just for the record, the circula- tion of the Independent is rising, not falling. Awkward facts, I suppose.
Nicholas Timmins Public Policy Editor, The Independent, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14
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