CONSERVATIVE spokesman Tom Spring-Smyth should remember that it is better to keep quiet and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt (Letters, January 25).

His rant against what he describes as mad metricators are presumably business people who are understandably keen to trade on level terms with our European neighbours.

One is left with the impression that old Tory supporters long for the return of the British Empire, in which there are 12 pennies to the shilling and we shun computers in favour of slide rules.

Poor party peader David Cameron, who hopes to modernise such Conservatives, must be squirming with embarrasment.

COUNCILLOR DAVID HARRISON, Liberal Democrat, Totton.