TK TEW’s article (November 29) consists for the most part of low-grade abuse of those with whom he disagrees politically and is therefore a waste of time.

He also makes the common mistake of suggesting that jingoism is somehow disreputable. There is nothing blameworthy about the original concept, as the famous couplet which gave rise to the word shows: We don’t want to fight, But by jingo if we do, We’ve got the ships, We’ve got the men, We’ve got the money too.

These wise words lack any gratuitous belligerence.

What they tell us is this: do not go to war except to defend vital interests and, if you are going to war, make sure that you are prepared to have the means to carry the conflict through to the end.

COLIN SMITH, Southampton.