AFTER ten years at the helm, as he leaves the ship of state, Tony Blair urges us to prepare to go on fighting around the world in defence of what we stand for.

The most dangerous threat is Islamic extremism, which has built up over the last ten years and will take another ten to defeat, he says.

We are not a nation of wobblers, but there is something ironic in this?

The ship is not fully fighting fit. It's leaking talent fast and taking in water. Should we be giving her an urgent overhaul, with a fresh crew, to defend our shores from invasion at this late stage?

George Appleby Leighton Croft Clifton York.