• Not so magnifico
Sir: To identify Silvio Berlusconi as Italy’s ‘best hope of cutting its astronomical sovereign debt’, as Nicholas Farrell does (‘Arrivederci il Magnifico,’ 12 November), would be laughable, if it didn’t show such deep ignorance of the damage Berlusconi’s rule has done economically, politically and morally. Mr Farrell suggests that Berlusconi is some kind of Thatcherite. Really? Could he point to any substantial reforms? Berlusconi promised to lower taxes, to reduce crime and to free up the labour market, but he did none of those things. His one major intervention in the economy was to scuttle a deal that would have seen Air France purchase Alitalia and hand over the ailing national airline in a sweetheart deal to some of his corporate buddies. He added to Italy’s astronomical debt by increasing public sector pensions. Under his rule, Italy grew at an anaemic annual rate of one third of 1 per cent and dropped further down league tables for economic freedom and competitiveness and media freedom. Under Berlusconi, we have seen a resurgence of the Mafia and increased public corruption. And we have seen 18 pieces of legislation passed that sought to protect his business interests and to provide him with legal immunity for wrongdoing. Quite a record.
Jamie Dettmer
Celleno, Lazio
Sir: Nicholas Farrell argues that ‘Berlusconi is the only person who could have sorted out Italy’s problems’. Well, he had several years in the job — was he too busy?
J. Rawicz
Oxfordshire
• Half-right
Sir: James Delingpole is half-right when he talks about Ukip being a breath away from overtaking the Lib Dems as Britain’s third party (12 November). As I write Ukip are on 7 per cent again in the polls with the Lib Dems on 8 per cent. But where he is wrong, and where even he is missing the point, is the assumption that these voters are a direct lift from disillusioned Tories. If that were the case, how could Ukip come first in towns like Hull in the Euro elections?
No, what we are seeing is a growth in what one could call patriotic politics. It is neither left nor right to wish to govern yourself; to believe that selective education raises up the best from whatever section of society, that the common law is a better guarantee of our liberties than the Human Rights Act, and that Britain’s defence be properly funded. So yes, Ukip’s star continues to rise, but not merely at the expense of Cameron’s Conservatives.
Nigel Farage
Westerham, Kent
• Postwar
Sir: I used to ask patients about their Great War experiences. Many refused to give them — often on the grounds that if you hadn’t been there you simply couldn’t understand. Others recounted the likes of: ‘They sent us in and they sent us in and they sent us in until we were none left. You wouldn’t believe it.’ They certainly weren’t for recounting the sentimental tales of ‘doom and gloom’ that Harry Mount fears will be the legacy of that conflict (‘Remembering well’, 12 November). It was worse than that.
Dr Ian A. Olson
Aberdeen
• Will power
Sir: James Hughes-Onslow proposes the abolition of inheritance tax (‘The sunshine solution,’ 12 November). But how does it make sense to create a system whereby those who have done nothing, taken no risks and whose only talent is to have rich relatives are to receive substantial dollops of tax-free cash, when those who work hard, take risks and create wealth are taxed at up to 60 per cent? Am I missing something?
Tom Benyon
Witney, Oxfordshire
Sir: James Hughes-Onslow thinks it would be a good idea to persuade Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain to abolish inheritance tax so as to attract us oldies to go out and buy villas in the sun. Hundreds of thousands of oldies have already bought newly built houses in Spain only to find that inheritance tax is irrelevant — because fraud and corruption among local politicians and lawyers has led to their houses being declared illegal, sometimes with demolition being required at the owners’ expense; so they have lost their homes and their savings and will have nothing left for anyone to inherit.
Eric Elliott
Tadmarton, Oxfordshire
• Bashing Liz
I enjoyed Tanya Gold’s perceptive piece about the disgust heaped on poor old Liz Jones (‘Keeping up with Liz Jones’, 12 November), but what she doesn’t mention is that Liz is just part of a wider phenomenon. What’s weirder even than Liz is the way that Daily Mail readers need a female columnist to hate. Before Liz there was Lynda Lee-Potter — remember her? And after Liz there’ll be another outspoken lady lunatic who steps in and volunteers to be carved up by the public on the comment page. Why do readers, of both sexes, so enjoy attacking women?
Daisy Morten
Aldeburgh, Suffolk
• One true voice
Sir: Luke Coppen (‘Get well, Adele,’ 5 November) is overly fulsome in his praise of Adele. She is certainly a talented singer but not sufficiently so to be compared to Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald. The only British-born female singer of their stature for a generation is Alison Moyet.
Jeremy M.J. Havard
London SW3
A thrifty Christmas
No sign of an end to the world’s financial troubles, so do readers have any tips on how to economise this Christmas? Please send helpful hints to letters@spectator.co.uk and we’ll print the best in our Christmas issue.
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