SIR - Racism was rife in the UK during the 1960s with a colour bar and discrimination in housing and employment. The 1968 Race Relations act was brought in by a Labour Government to counter this racism.

Fifty years ago Enoch Powell made his speech against Immigration and Europe to a meeting of Tories in the West Midlands in what became known as his 'rivers of blood' speech.

He was sacked by Tory Prime Minister Edward Heath and even today there are people who argue that 'Enoch was right'.

Powell's speech made racism look respectable and in 1968 shortly after his speech the far right National Front marched through Huddersfield and according to their organisers gained eight new members on the back of Powells speech we then saw an upsurge of violence against immigrants.

Powell was an opportunist who was hoping one day to lead the Conservative Party he failed miserably.

Racism still exists among some people, but we have made advances in race relations by being far more tolerant with each other than we were in the days of Enoch Powell.

John Appleyard, Firthcliffe Parade, Liversedge