SIR - Is it not ironic when British troops of all ethnic origins have just risked their lives to topple the vicious dictator who has been likened to Hitler, we see the emergence of neo-fascist politics in the shape of the British National Party.

Our servicemen and women have seen at first-hand the grotesque brutality of this fascist dictator and many lost their lives as a result. How could we even think of voting to give power to a group of people whose beliefs and aims are so similar to the oppressor we have all just ousted out in Iraq?

Nobody has the right to discriminate against colour, beliefs and origin. Britain is a free country with democracy. We should always vote to let it stay that way.

Julie Clayton, Meadow Dene, East Ayton, Scarborough.

SIR - Now that it seems Saddam Hussein had no weapons of mass destruction, where does this put MPs Chris Leslie, Terry Rooney and Gerry Sutcliffe, who voted for war?

In the terms of the Government motion passed by such a narrow majority, "Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles, and its continuing non-compliance with Security Council Resolutions pose a threat to international peace and security" and "Iraq being at the time of Resolution 1441 and continuing to be in material breach", force was permitted under UN Resolution 678. If weapons of mass destruction are not found, then the war was illegal.

Of course, the objectives of the war have changed several times, from weapons of mass destruction to regime change and now to total destruction of everything that defines Iraqi society, judging by the recent encouragement of looting.

And since the US has refused to let UN inspectors resume their work, and has put its own people in, there's still a possibility that the necessary "evidence" will be manufactured.

In that case, may we assume that Messrs Leslie, Rooney and Sutcliffe will support calls for an international body along the lines of the Northern Ireland disarmament commission to verify any alleged weapons finds?

Karl Dallas, Church Green, Bradford 8

SIR - As a patriot and a true blue Conservative I would like to sincerely congratulate Blair and thank him for one thing. Although he had promised not to raise taxes he has presided over the highest tax increases in peace-time history, savaged the pension fund of every private pensioner, shouted about how he loved the pound but now passionately pursues the dreaded euro.

But the thing for which I am eternally grateful is that he stayed on as Prime Minister and did not resign over the Iraqi war as he says he thought of doing.

For could you imagine this great country of ours with Jubilation T Prescott at the helm?

Ernest W. Harbron, North Cote Road, Bradford 2

SIR - I have been telephoning Bradford Council's Refuse Department since Tuesday to ask them to empty my bin. I was assured that this would be done on Tuesday afternoon. I phoned twice, morning and afternoon, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday all to no avail.

This morning, Saturday, I phoned again and was given a different number to contact and was told to "keep trying as they are in and out of the office."

After 20 minutes of being told after every five minutes that "Sorry there is no reply" I put the phone down and decided to write to the T&A!

At the time of writing, midday, my dustbin is still languishing down by the roadside.

It seems to me that we are all paying more for less nowadays.

Philomena Hingston, Leaventhorpe Avenue, Bradford 8.

SIR - I hope the businesses whose shops are in the redevelopment area in and around Forster Square take advantage of the empty shops in the city centre.

Stores such as the Yorkshire Linen Co and Capo menswear could move into the two empty units inside the Kirkgate Centre and help fill the few remaining prime shop units in Bradford's main shopping area.

Jack MacPherson, Killinghall Road, Bradford

SIR - In November last year the Lord Chief Justice, in an unprecedented decision, ordered a new inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death in 1953 of RAF Serviceman Ronald Maddison, while undergoing chemical tests at the Porton Down Chemical and Biological Defence establishment.

Ronald Maddison was one of 25,000 young servicemen - many of them post-war National Servicemen like myself - who took part in human experiments at Porton Down and who, in most cases, were unaware of the nature of the experiments. Many believed it was for research into the common cold. Instead, these young men were exposed to chemical and biological substances including nerve gas, mustard gas, LSD and others.

Ken Earl, another veteran, set up the Porton Down Veterans' Support Group to represent the interests of former armed services personnel who attended Porton Down, and their families. Among our aims are to request the Government to establish a public inquiry into the nature of the experiments at Porton Down and the consequences to the health of those who took part.

Membership is free and any veterans who attended Porton Down, or their families, who wish to join our group can do so by writing to PDVSG, PO Box 787, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1EF (telephone (01622 209649) or e-mail ken@portondownsupportgroup.fsnet.co.uk. Further information is on our web site at www.portonveterans.8m.com.

David Dainty, Clayworth Drive, Bessacarr, Doncaster.

SIR - I wish to make a few comments on your editorial Comment (T&A, April 17) regarding hackney carriage taxi issues which I feel are a bit unfair. I cannot understand why you feel that taxis are not part of public transport.

It is true that taxis are privately owned and they are paid handsome fares. So are the bus companies, who are paid handsome subsidies.

But if the taxis are allowed to use some of the "buses only" areas (those which have been agreed by the Council, the local bus companies and the taxi representatives but never implemented by the present administration) who is likely to benefit?

I would have thought if the taxi is allowed to take a shorter route, with the meter running, it would be the taxi passenger who would benefit. As for the times of use of "bus lanes", I think the signs make it very clear when they are in use.

Latif Darr, Chippendale Rise, Bradford 8

SIR - I write in response to John Holdsworth in China (Hello John!), and his advice to Mubarik Iqbal "When you are in a hole... stop digging!"

I don't expect for one minute that this regular contributor to the letters page will "stop digging." However, should this happen I for one would miss these letters, daft as they are!

More importantly I would miss the replies they generate. So Mubarik Iqbal, please pick up your shovel and dig!

S Fleming, Ogden Lane, Denholme.

SIR - Having seen the photo of Shipley MP Chris Leslie with a joyful smile on his face in the T&A of April 28 at the near-completion of the Bingley relief road, I wonder whether Mr Leslie will be so joyful come October when with thousands of other motorists he will be stuck at the Saltaire roundabout and crawling into Shipley centre at 5mph or less.

He, like everyone else, will find it will be Bingley's relief, Shipley's nightmare.

R Halliday, Crag Road, Shipley.