St Valentine's Day helps some people, but depresses many others. It should be our celebratory Mardi Gras, a day when we try to slough off our national puritanism, revelling in public bawdry and wild parties. (This is a very non-new Labour thought, but that, perhaps, is part of new Labour's problem.)National Art Scandals. Britain's great art collections include hundreds of paintings and sculptures that are hidden from view, either in government offices or in gallery basements, because there isn't enough space to show them. Global warming will ensure a ready market for open-air eating in the capital's prime central spaces (But avoid the pigeon en croute.)The February problem. There are no EU proposals from any British party that would do half as much good as trying to ensure that all children left school truly fluent in another European language.Trafalgar Square should be pedestrianised, as the first stage of a plan to close other chunks of central London to cars.

We will be bound together by shared work, inter-marriage and travel, or not at all. Examples can even be found in cities such as Edinburgh, which are otherwise near-perfect, and in smaller gems such as Ludlow, Norwich and Shrewsbury. Destroying them would raise our spirits and give a greater sense of popular control over urban environments The buildings would be chosen by local ballot. Any that attracted, say, 20 per cent local support would, however, be saved as a safeguard against anti-modern philistinism.Speaking French. Making a closer union of the peoples of Europe is not something that will be accomplished by politicians.

The National Lottery rules would be changed to ensure that, every month or so, some money raised would be used to blow up a hated building. Most British cities are disfigured by some architecture that actually makes people feel worse when they pass it. The idea that politicians might do things to make people happier may be novel, but it shouldn't be rejected out of hand. So what might such a list include? Policy wonks are wonking and think- tanks are bubbling MPs, such as Chris Mullin, have published their thoughts But this is a game anyone can play. A pejorative way of putting it is to say that he wants gimmicks But gimmicks, or pleasing wheezes, should not be underrated. Outside Northern Ireland, John Major has probably had more positive influence on people's lives by setting up the National Lottery and deregulating pub hours than with the rest of his legislation put together.

Air flights are a good starting point, but the principle could be extended to other areas of life: a ban on parents with children in supermarkets at certain times of day springs immediately to mind Adam Watson Quenington, Gloucestershire. Tony Blair's furrowed-brow lectures about government's hard choices and the need for strict priorities are, no doubt, sensible But they are not cheerful. They add to the impression that life under Labour would be, in too many ways, just like life under the Conservatives. So Mr Blair has asked his shadow cabinet for "no cost/low cost measures" which could be passed early without clogging up Parliament. Sir: At last, the definitive reasons for the League of Nations failing in the 1930s (Andrew Marr, 7 March).

Had all in Europe learnt German and seen the superiority of Germany's culture and economy, war could so easily have been avoided Nick Rees Gwernaffield, Clwyd. Sir: The idea of child-free zones (Simon Calder's travel column, 9 March) sounds wonderful. Successful companies regard such an approach as essential in future employees.Roger OpieHead of Educational ServicesThe Industrial SocietyBirmingham. The acquiring of skills must begin well before 16, as should the realisation by pupils of all ages that they have responsibility for their own learning The lifelong learning process has to begin in schools. Criminals may therefore go more prepared and/or armed to kill their victims Clive Griffiths London N16.