Madam,

I seem to have committed a thought crime! In response to expressing my thoughts on the pros and cons of a “Welsh perspective” history curriculum, Simon Brooks has chosen to attack me in a very personal way.

My opinion is based on my studies and experience as a teacher and Welsh resident. I was speaking for myself in my letter and not for Dwyfor Merionnydd Labour Party, whose members have differing views on this issue.

I should point out that the Welsh Labour Government is a very keen proponent of the intensified promotion of the Welsh language and doubtless would be sympathetic to a new curriculum.

For me, socialism means standing up for the ordinary people of this world from Wales to Bangladesh - rather than creating a folk hero from the dim and distant past.

As an historian I believe that such figures should be subjected to the same scrutiny as modern leaders and politicians.

RR Davies was my head of department at Aberystywyth and a good historian; this doesn’t mean that I agree with every opinion he espoused.

It is a poor prospect for Gwynedd and for Wales if we cannot tolerate each others views without resorting to personal abuse.

Yours etc,

Quentin Deakin, Corbett Avenue, Tywyn.

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