I AM amazed that Peter Booth, as a former student of such prestigious seats of learning, should have such an Anglo centric and rose-tinted view of our Imperial history.

Apart from the obvious 19th and 20th century examples of dictators, I would be intrigued to learn about the other European dictators with whom we "dealt" over the centuries.

It seems somewhat arrogant that he should dismiss events such as the Partition of India, the Sykes-Picot agreement and the Balfour declaration as mistakes given the loss of life and ongoing political instability to which they contributed.

It is possible that members of the Commonwealth, would find his suggestion of having a seat at the UN under the aegis of a mother country condescending in the extreme.

If Mr Booth wishes to extend his knowledge of history from a more global perspective, I suggest reading The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan.

Janet Tice

Finchley Road

Hale