LETTER : Museum to mark British Empire

Sir: It was high time somebody wrote your admirable leader about the end of Empire (3 January). However, may I remind your readers that there is already coming into existence, in somewhat lengthy gestation, an institution specifically dedicated to making just the same points?

Our Museum of the British Empire has had to contend with the peculiarly deadening aspect of political correctness which supposes that commemoration is synonymous with celebration. We are not setting out to celebrate the idea of imperialism. We are trying to commemorate the historical significance of the British Empire - everything bad about it as well as everything worthwhile, its strengths and its weaknesses, its beauty and its ugliness.

JAN MORRIS

Trustee, Museum of the British Empire

Bristol