WE seem to be in an era when the term “British” is a false label. Most of our rail system is owned by state-controlled French, German and now Dutch companies. The Scottish rail system has recently been handed over to a Dutch company and today we are selling the state-owned 40 per cent share of the cross-Channel service. The “Royal” Mail’s gone and energy is foreign-owned.

In the Thatcher era, Harold McMillan warned of selling of the family silver. The silver has long gone. The Tories are flogging the furniture, carpets and kitchen wear.

David Sharples, Tarbet Drive, Breighmet