Sir, – The assertion by Paddy McEvoy (Letters, July 25th) that the Irish Republic could soon be a member of the Commonwealth should prompt some thought. In the London Times of the same day Philip Collins wrote that it was time to abolish the organisation and he questioned the wisdom of having the queen, who does a very good job, chair it.
It is incontrovertible that many Commonwealth countries are strangers to its original philosophy, which was to bind nations together freely co-operating in the pursuit of peace, justice and liberty.
The human rights record of many members involves the subjugation of women, the criminalisation of homosexuality and the brutalisation of political opponents. To paraphrase Groucho Marx, do you really want to be in an organisation that would have such characters as members? Yours, etc,
FRANK GREANEY,
Formby
Liverpool