I would like to congratulate East Sussex county councillor Michael Murphy on his brilliant explanation of the importance of the oath of allegiance in our constitution (Letters, August 13).

I too found Norman Baker’s behaviour reprehensible. It will be interesting to see how voters react at the next general election.

I suspect he has been strongly influenced by another one-time resident of Lewes, Thomas Paine, who wrote Rights Of Man and The Age Of Reason and who, despite his early promise, became a serial dissenter and ended up betraying his country.

Mr Baker’s actions not only insult the Queen but are symptomatic of an unpleasant disloyalty noticeable in our society not only in politics but in family life and business. It is even directed towards Britain and its armed forces.

Thank goodness for most of our young people and the obvious pride of those representing us at the Olympic games, especially when the national anthem is played. We should be proud of the ones who volunteer for the armed services and the police, often risking their lives on our behalf.

I understand that 39 MPs supported Mr Baker’s motion in the House of Commons, 38 from the Labour Party and one Conservative.

Perhaps we will be told if any others came from Sussex or if they have served our country in any military capacity.

Alan Nunn, Pipers Close, Hove