French dressing

As France emerged at the end of the War from the darkest days of the Nazi Occupation, the significant role of the heroic Resistance Movement became a symbol of immense pride for the nation.

The far-right party of Le Pen

sought to attract credibility by shamelessly adopting wholesale the symbols of the Resistance, including its name Front National and its flag – the map of France in tricolour

This act of piracy extended to its motto – with one subtle,

yet significant revision: “La France d’abord!” (France First) became “Les Francais d’abord!” (French First), excluding with one stroke of the pen all non-french nationals resident in France, many of whom had fought for that

country. Et voila! The distortion is complete. Freedom from oppression becomes freedom to oppress, an invitation to demonise incomers.

Nigel Farage has studied and learned from Le Pen. Can we form a resistance movement to counteract his despicable doctrine?

JAMES STEVENSON Drummond Avenue,

Auchterarder