Dr Michael Ford finds that the “buskers” in the city centre ruin what could be a pleasant sojourn there, adding that they should be banned (April 8).

Firstly, why the inverted commas? To the extent that words ultimately mean anything at all, these performers are not purported nor pseudo-buskers, but actual ones.

Secondly, while totally defending his right to live in France, there being far worse choices, it ought to be asked whether it is appropriate for an ex-pat to attempt to dictate what the British who actually live in this country and city should or should not do.

Thirdly, I bet that the daughter in Oxford whom he visits “from time to time” must be absolutely thrilled at the occasional “sojourn” – okay, he was probably thinking of the somewhat more common “séjour” – on the part of this bundle of fun, as, on his return, must the French, who are welcome to our miserable old buskers.

Lastly, do they no longer have buskers across the channel? If they do, he can take comfort from the hope that the Front National, in due course, will have them all guillotined.

DAVID DIMENT
Riverside Court
Oxford