A vulgar error
Sir: In your leading article of 5 March, you refer to democracy as being the birthright of British citizens in Britain.
That this vulgar error has taken such deep root that even The Spectator takes it for granted is alarming.
King Alfred referred to his prerogative being limited owing to his being king of a free people. Throughout our history we have been referred to as a free people liv- ing in a free country. Not until 1928 did Britain become a democracy and since then we have ceased to be a free people, since democracy connotes equality, and a free people cannot be equal nor an equal peo- ple free, by definition.
If we have indeed become 'democratic' over the last 70 years it would account for much that has gone awry, but it is most cer- tainly not our birthright.
J. W. Fotheringham
Far End, 42 France Hill Drive Camberley Surrey
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