SIR – David Barnett’s analysis of Gordon Brown’s Rochdale gaffe (T&A, April 30) was predictably trendy pseudo-socialism it the extreme as he cites sneaky journalism as the real talking point.

He has lamentably failed to grasp the real point that came of this unfortunate incident, namely that there are certain ‘sensitive’ issues that we are all discouraged to mention.

Gillian Duffy was rendered ‘bigoted’ by the Prime Minister because she dared to raise the subject of immigration. No argument here.

But it speaks volumes about the politically-correct society we are living in; created by politicians, liberal-educationalists, do-gooders and left wing socialists, and resulting in the stifling of free speech.

I rather think that the media have done society a favour by exposing Brown’s attitude towards free speech.

Maybe now we can understand why certain fringe parties pick up sizeable votes, when in reality they should be blown out of the water politically. We reap what we sow.

Paul Jamieson, Toller Lane, Heaton