Sir – Britain can no longer afford to be a significant military power in the world but it may still have a chance of influence in more peaceful ways, through the developing role of the Commonwealth.

I understand from a Daily Telegraph article (January 9), that Mr Cameron and his ministers are currently suggesting and debating, as part of the planned centennial anniversary events of the First World War this year, that the British Government will be ‘down-playing the role of Australian and New Zealand soldiers in favour of the contribution from New Commonwealth nations’.

Is this meant to entice present-day multicultural representatives in the UK to vote Conservative at the next general election?

I can see no quicker way of ensuring the end of the Commonwealth as we know it, than allowing Mr Cameron and his ministers to insult the memory of those whose sacrifice helped us so much in the past.

Jim Wright, Abingdon