London, Europe

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): On the way to the Lib Dem conference earlier this week I noticed that the only paper which had sold out in a Victoria Station WH Smiths was the Financial Times. That must be a first! Following the tumbrils - is the King's head to be chopped? - I also bought it today and found a cold-hearted discussion in the letters page about whether Belgium needed to exist. It reminded me of Tom Nairn's spoof. One letter from Nick Coote who lives in France says, "I was born in London. I do not feel the need for the "England" and the "Great Britain" baggage. "London, Europe" will suffice..... If Belgium splits, so what? The people within the two new entities will remain European."