JOHN Lewis's view of the English (Letters, January 28) is as convoluted as Jack Straw's is degenerate. Whether he likes it or not, he is British, as, in the same vein, he is European.

It would appear that there is little depth to his understanding of the history of these small islands. Otherwise, he would not have attempted to deride the English in the manner he chose. Around 400BC the Celts from central Europe overran much of the British Isles. They became assimilated with the locals and eventually all became known as Britons.

When the Germanic tribes arrived they called Britons 'Welsh,' which means 'foreigner' in their language and they were forced to occupy certain areas.

One stretched from the Clyde to the Mersey. The people living there became the Caledonian Welsh. Then, when this area was reduced to the Ribble, they became the North Welsh.

Then there were the West Welsh in Devon and Cornwall and the Welsh behind Offa's Dyke in Wales.

The little kingdoms and tribes and invaders fought each other until the boundaries we know today were eventually formed.

Mr Lewis is mistaken - Wales has and does benefit from contributions from the English taxpayer.

He also mentioned the subjugated people of the English Empire. History says it was the British Empire.

Then, he goes on to give the English the greatest accolade of all - that many of those people want to come to England and live among the English, just as he himself has done.

Now, Mr Lewis, I am proud to be - and so should you- a Little Englander, for was that not the name given to all the British people for standing up against the people who would have made slaves of us.

If Jack Straw's view of the English is such, he should at least be man enough to resign.

WALT MEADOWS, Whalley New Road, Blackburn.

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