George Bernard Shaw suggested mischievously that "England and America are two countries divided by a common language". Here is a book title - if not a book - that proves it. To Americans, imbued with the frontier spirit, a maverick is an admirable person, independent in thought and action.

But the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary offers this definition: "a masterless person; one who is roving and casual". Only last week a former British cabinet minister was described by a critic as a "maverick voice". This was not meant as a compliment.