Non-doms for proms?

It looked like a non-doms get together in Southwark Cathedral this afternoon as a real mix of nationalities gathered for City of London University's Cass Business School graduation ceremony.

As a true Brit, our son, John - up for an MSc in management, specialising in the film industry - was in the minority. The faculty, who themselves are drawn from all over the globe, spoke proudly of the international flavour of the school (well the overseas students do ensure a healthy level of fee income.)

Yes, the event was in one of London's most attractive cathedrals, but really it could have been anywhere. The applause was disappointingly muted as many parents reserved their cheers for their own offspring and ignored everyone else. When the organist played the national anthem at the end, no-one sung.

Perhaps this is the sort of event that would attract the approval of Margaret Hodge, the culture minister, who has criticised the prom concerts for attracting too narrow a section of society. She may have a point. I'm with the proms, all the same. Long may they continue.