Letter: Foreign policy not quite forgotten

Sir: Richard Gott ("A British foreign policy? Forget it", 2 April) is largely right in identifying foreign policy as a neglected issue of this election. But not quite.

No one (yet) is raising questions about the future of the UN system or of the Commonwealth in the hurly-burly of the campaign in this largely rural constituency. But I have been encouraged by the number of electors who are challenging me and the other candidates on Britain's policies towards developing countries.

More important politically will be the far greater numbers, mainly among the over-50s, worried about our position in Europe. This potentially allows for a serious debate on Britain's position in the world, but perceptions all too often do not go beyond the crude "give us back our sovereignty" anti-Europeanism of much of the Tory press.

Certainly there is no overt concern here about whether the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has a future. But Northamptonshire voters may be more realistic than Mr Gott in realising that whatever happens domestically after the election we are always going to need a ministry with relevant specialist skills. Yes the Tories have shamefully abused the FCO but after serving in it for 23 years it seems to me plain silly to describe it as existing only to cover up "the inexperience of the political class".

JOHN GORDON

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary

Candidate for Daventry Constituency

Daventry