Good nationalism

Andrew HN Gray simplistically states that nationalism is bad and patriotism is good (Letters, 20 August). The Collins dictionary describes patriotism as a love of your country and desire to defend it and nationalism as a desire for independence of those who feel historically or culturally separate. Neither definition can be generalised as wholly positive or negative and needs to be put into context.

Self-declared African nationalist Nelson Mandela went on to lead the African National Congress and successfully banish apartheid in South Africa. Some regarded Mandela at the time as a terrorist, a term that is seen as negative, but “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter”. Mandela is universally admired. He was hardly “aggressive” or “menacing” and certainly not “racist”, terms Mr Gray uses to colour nationalists.

David Cameron famously described Margaret Thatcher as Britain’s “patriot prime minister”. Few would disagree that Thatcher was a patriot, standing up for British interests abroad, particularly in Europe.

Many, however, considered that she went too far in her criticism of the EU, causing her downfall and divisions within the Conservative party that eventually led to Brexit and David Cameron’s demise.

Mrs Thatcher is still a divisive figure.

As a patriot rather than a nationalist, I still strongly consider that there is a place for nationalism in a democracy. It is disappointing that Mr Gray dismisses nationalists in these terms, many of whom, like Mandela, have made a valuable contribution.

NEIL ANDERSON Edinburgh