Sir, How very nice it is, in this season of goodwill to all men, that Mr Major should pay an Advent visit. No doubt the populace of Northern Ireland will be reassured that the last outpost of Empire remains dear to the heart of the Whitehall satsumas oops, sorry mandarins. The visit, we are told, is an informal one, in keeping with Uncle John's traditionalist, back to basics philosophy, and is redolent of Dickensian England.
One hopes, however, that the Ghost of Christmas Past has spoken to Mr Major and that this visit signifies a change for the better in his Scrooge like attitude to Sinn Fein. On the other hand, he may just be reverting to childhood and longing for an Orange (Order) in his stocking. Yours, etc.,
South Hill, Dartry, Dublin 6.