SIR - Britain, at this moment, reminds me of a trepid 19th century explorer preparing for an expedition into the unknown interior of a foreign country. He or she knows not what strange animals will be encountered, have to be defended against or killed, what strange peoples will have to be befriended and new cultures learned.

But what the explorer does know is that they will have put behind all consideration of the home country, adapt totally to the new circumstances in order to survive and, if they decide to stay, embrace the indigenous culture's values of self-sufficiency, collaboration and sustainability.

What an explorer of high calibre could expect to contribute to the people of this strange land is the idea of, and perhaps a pattern for, a better democratic and just community.

Geoff Naylor, Birch Close, Winchester, Hampshire