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Dear Editor,

Re: Lumley is The Times Briton of the Year - but spare a thought for Peter Carroll

With the courageous, eloquent and divine Joanna Lumley (link) as the Fighting Figurehead of the Ship of Justice, that cleaved the stormy political waters and eventually heaving to and firing broadside after broadside at that becalmed Gravy Boat, sometimes known as the Mother of Parliaments and latterly as more of a Ship of Fools, rightly so she is honoured as "The Briton of the Year" in the Times.

But let us not forget the gallant crew, who helped to point our Absolutely Fabulous Figurehead and our cargo of precious, valued and valiant Gurkhas to their rightful berth alongside our own fighting men and women who are thankfully but sadly at the forefront of our Nation's thoughts as they do battle once again in a far off land.

The country rallies to it's troops, the first of all occupations and professions that let all others be, no matter what views we hold on Why, they are flesh of our flesh.

At last our Brothers in Blood, the Bold Gurkha steps ashore on our land, now with his head slightly higher, as the dunderheads who only battle the ferocious Red Tape can see "what connection a Victoria Cross holder has to this country" Johnny Gurkha is now bonded forever with Tommy Atkins thanks to the Gurkha Justice Campaign figure headed by La Lumley.

As mentioned, do not forget, at our peril, the Crew that brought that Ship home. The Navigator, perhaps, Peter Carroll, whose lonely battle and voice was hardly heard, even where hurricanes hardly happen, he the Navigator, Pilot and Press Ganger, who didn't need to press too hard to lure La Lumley on board and who graciously stepped behind and continued with the passion, his fight against the injustice. His chivalry in allowing Joanna to take the centre of what had been his stage.

Mr. Carroll was ably assisted with the steering of the Ship by several of the crew, the passionate protestations of a valiant Ulsterman, Enright who helped navigate the languid legal lagoons of the pointless pinstriped poltroons.

To the forefront, now, one who could relate to us and the Gurkhas, steps Mr. Gurung, a retired Gurkha. He had served this country well as a Gurkha Soldier and continues to serve as a duly elected Councillor, whose heart must be gladdened - as is mine - at the sight of his fellow countrymen and women serenely settling in about us and showing some the way, certainly in family values and respect

Not forgetting all the other able hands on board

I personally could never nail my colours to the political mast of Carroll and Gurung, but by the Seven Seas they deserve at least a twenty-one gun salute

With grateful thanks to the whole crew

Godot