Castigation of Berlusconi stems from misplaced superiority

Sir, Your editorial is not an offence to Silvio Berlusconi, it is an offence to Italy (“Baleful influence of Burlesque cronies”, May 27). First, the association of Italy with fascism is a knee-jerk reaction, rooted perhaps in a nostalgia for Britain’s finest hour, but nonsense in contemporary Italy. Second, I have never voted for Mr Berlusconi, nor have I been enchanted by “glitz, glitter and girls”. Your comments, however, are disrespectful to the millions of Italians who have democratically elected Mr Berlusconi three times as prime minister. Britain has lost a lot in the past few decades: its empire, its economic leadership and its military might. When one considers the MP expense scandal and the less than impeccable behaviour of many of your public figures, one wonders if the time has come to lose your sense of superiority.

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