There would be nowhere for us to go. British politics would be polarised
between a number of Left-aligned parties and a ragbag of extremists like the
BNP.

John Waine
Nuneaton, Warwickshire

SIR – In view of the profound differences between the Conservatives and the
Liberal Democrats regarding the European Union and the possibly terminal
euro crisis, I wonder whether this co-operation will survive the current
parliament, let alone continue into the next one, unless the Liberal
Democrats abandon their long-standing Euro-federalism.

True Conservatives want an overall Conservative majority in the next
parliament and an end to coalition.

David Giles
London W4

SIR – Sir John’s recommendation that the Coalition should continue must be
welcome to David Cameron, as it becomes increasingly apparent that the
latter’s objective is to kill off the Conservative Party and form a new
social democrat one, combining the Europhiles of both his present party and
of the Liberal Democrats.

David Robertson
Woodford Green, Essex

SIR – Sir John is wrong to think that the Coalition will extend into the next
parliament. It is unlikely to last beyond May 5 when the Lib Dems will
probably lose a huge number of seats, as traditional supporters desert them,
aided by students protesting against their candidates during the Easter
holiday.

The referendum on AV is likely to be lost, which means that the Lib Dems will
have gained nothing from the Coalition. At that point, Nick Clegg and his
fellow ministers will have no option but to join the Conservatives, leaving
a rump of Lib Dems, probably led by Simon Hughes, in opposition.

D. A. Greenwood
East Barnet, Hertfordshire

SIR – Sir John wants David Cameron to make the Coalition permanent. Wouldn’t
agreeing to this be a bit like taking tactical military advice from General
Custer?

Mark Hudson
Ashford, Kent

Cost of listed buildings

SIR – Councillors proposing increased fees for listed building planning
applications (Letters, November 19) should take into account that the
listing of a building expropriates development value and imposes a statutory
repairs covenant, without compensation and perhaps contrary to European law.

People who own listed buildings carry burdens enough for an obligation which
benefits the community. They normally use competent conservation architects,
so any council fees seem inappropriate.

Peter Hickman
London W8

SIR – Councillors might reduce costs if, for instance, they did not demand
plans, scaled elevations, photographs, samples, and “design and access
statements”, for an application to replace in original style some farmhouse
windows, when a single half-hour visit would resolve everything.

This worked in the 1980s.

Laurence Camps
Pinner, Middlesex

Can’t dance, strictly

SIR – What has the BBC done to one of my favourite programmes? If Ann
Widdecombe gets to the final of Strictly Come Dancing (Letters, November 27)
because the great British public are laughing at her, not with her, it will
be the demise of this once excellent dance competition.

Jill Ball
Southwell, Nottinghamshire

University shake-up

SIR – Sir Christopher Bayly and others (Letters, November 28) suggest that the
Government is rushing changes to higher education. They say that a Public
Commission of Inquiry should consult academics, students and business
leaders.

The Browne Review, set up by the previous government, provided precisely those
wide consultations over many months, with two calls for evidence. Having
heard all points of view, it made the recommendations it thought right. We
agree with Lord Browne’s thrust, while making it even more progressive.

Our proposals do help reduce the deficit in this Parliament because we are
reducing support by government to universities via the Funding Council block
grant. Money loaned to students is accounted for differently, as loans are
not spending, but are expected to be repaid.

Nor are we rushing these reforms. We want the changes to affect new students
from the 2012 academic year. Many students start to apply a year before they
enter. They, universities and the Student Loans Company need to know funding
arrangements for that year. So before Christmas we are bringing amended
regulations on graduate contributions for debate in both houses of
Parliament.

Lord Browne did not consider other aspects in such detail as student finance.
As these do not affect the urgent need to reduce the deficit, we will
consider them on a different timetable. We will publish a White Paper in the
New Year so that those involved in higher education have the same time to
consider proposals as allowed by the Browne Review.

Our proposals will improve support for the poorest students while they are
studying; integrate part-timers into mainstream funding for the first time;
offer a fairer repayment system for graduates; and safeguard universities
that can successfully attract students.

It is a thoroughly progressive package welcomed by Universities UK and by
others in the sector.

David Willetts MP (Con)
Minister Universities and Science
London SW1

Swap for a nuthatch

SIR – Martin Churchill (Letters, November 29) wants to swap half a dozen of
the goldfinches that are eating him out of house and garden, for a nuthatch.

I have half a dozen spare nuthatches which, like Sir Les Patterson, spill more
than they eat.

Tim Armstrong
Lichfield, Staffordshire

SIR – I can offer Mr Churchill a score of jackdaws and several yellowhammers.
The occasional nuthatch and the regular great spotted woodpecker are not for
“swaps”.

Keith Bullen
Newtown Linford, Leicestershire

SIR – I was told the only down side with beautiful goldfinches is the cost of
feeding them, but for a third year at my niger-seed feeders, there’s not a
goldfinch in sight.

Are they all with Mr Churchill in Suffolk? If so, how do I attract them here?

Monica Blake
Havant, Hampshire

SIR – I suggest the fall in sparrow numbers (Letters November 29) is due to
the increased of raptors. We would see 100 sparrows feeding among our
chickens until the arrival of the sparrowhawk.

I. P. Caudwell
Rowsley, Derbyshire

SIR – National shortage of sparrows? Not in this garden. We could lend half a
dozen to Mr Churchill to swap for a nuthatch.

Jack Bates
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Bad laws on deadly bulls

SIR – The recent death of a walker, caused by a bull, surely indicates that
there needs to be a change to the by-laws enacted by most county councils.

The Countryside Act of 1968 makes no reference to bulls because of opposition
in the House of Commons, so local by-laws hold sway. The usual form of
by-law meant that no bull over 12 months old is allowed in a field crossed
by a public right of way, but many councils added a proviso that the rule
should not apply where the bull is at large together with cows.

If there is a herd of cows with a bull among them, the chances of spotting the
bull are low, creating danger for any walker, accompanied by a dog or not.

Perhaps the responsibility for injury by bulls of walkers on public footpaths
lies with the local authority.

Brian Salt
Buckland Monachorum, Devon