SIR -- Reflecting on nearly seven years of this Labour Government, I found it difficult to think of anything really useful that they have achieved.

With one happy exception -- the introduction of citizenship ceremonies.

It seems self-evident that only the loyal citizens of a country should have the right to participate in its government.

Those who are citizens of other countries, and those who prefer to delude themselves that they are "citizens of the world", and foolishly decline to give their true allegiance to their own country, should not be permitted to vote.

So I would like to see the scope of these citizenship ceremonies extended from those who are acquiring citizenship by naturalisation, to all British-born 18-year-olds.

In fact, I think that almost all British adults would also be very willing to take the oath of allegiance.

So why not offer us the same opportunity to confirm our loyalty?

DENIS COOPER (Dr)

Belmont Park Avenue

Maidenhead