- Bradford continues to cry out for leadership. Its chief executive exits after only a few years, needing to be replaced by one who needs to be paid more than the Prime Minister of the country to promote a city only recently competing nationally for Capital of Culture but which cannot even back bids by local enterprises by failing to reply to letters to win "Curry Capital" status.

It continues to lose trade wholesale to Leeds. Bradford's city centre is decimated, its nightlife heads towards Halifax and Leeds as its decision makers take early nights. And the leader is honoured as the decline continues.

Witnessing the decline is heartbreaking - but much can be done. After the first Manningham Riots the alternative or unofficial report presented by M Taj showed that a small ingredient of self-belief could do wonders for the city. Unless boffins, bean counters and councillors adopt the "can do" attitude it looks like doom and gloom for the city.

Let's start looking at problems and finding ways of tackling them instead of giving up in despair and merely going through the motions.

Otherwise the Council letterheadmay as well read "One landscape; weak leadership; no views."

T Mahmood, Harewood Street, Bradford 3

SIR - Re your recent report of Morrisons being the principal objector to Tesco's proposed demolition and rebuilding of its Canal Road site. It appears "objecting" is becoming this company's most noted activity, to the detriment of Bradford.

Any directive/decision on planning leaves consequences for others to endure. Morrisons prevailed and the Odsal/Tesco project was trashed - thus stadium improvement will always be compromised and never achieved the backing Sterling had planned with the strength of Tesco as its leading investor. The Council "had" to give the facility to the Bradford Bulls and the result is a one-sport arena.

I shall watch with interest what happens at Canal Road and meanwhile have two questions for Sir Ken Morrison. Number One - I congratulate you on becoming a billionaire but how much money do you want before you are satisfied?

Number Two - when will you actually do something for the city and remove "No" from the Morrisons corporate vocabulary?

Bradford as a city needs at least a less selfish attitude from its wealthiest supermarket maestro. Sir Ken, open your eyes and look at what "your" city has become. It's not your fault but start helping (not hindering)...

John Murphy, Rock Terrace, Manningham.

l A Morrisons spokesman said: "Morrisons has remained loyal to the city of Bradford for more than 100 years. In that time, the company has invested many millions of pounds through the building of new stores and factories. In the process, we have created many thousands of jobs for the people of Bradford and surrounding areas - not only in our own developments but in local suppliers of goods and services. Morrisons has helped the city of Bradford more than anyone can measure - and has been pleased to do so."

SIR - Yet again Les Brotherton seems to think he is the voice for all Bradfordians (Letter, June 20). Can he produce statistics to back his argument over how much taxpayers' money has gone towards raising so-called Muslim immigrants to acceptable European standards.

The Muslims are one of the biggest sources of revenue for Bradford. There are also like myself 800 converts from Christianity in the city who are taxpayers.

Surely he cannot deny a tiny fraction of our own taxes going towards helping new immigrants. Just like we don't mind some of our taxes going towards supporting teenage mothers, old people's homes and a new chief executive for the city on more than £200,000 annually.

As for the so-called indigenous population being labelled racist by Muslims, I think you will find that it is normally white liberals suggesting that rather than the majority of Muslims.

Malcolm Wilsher Muhammad, Leeds Road, Bradford 3

SIR - Last Saturday (10am to 4pm), the Thornton Antiquarian Society put on an exhibition of old and new memorabilia of Thornton village.

What a wonderful display, and what handiworks by the members of New Road Methodist Church and the society. The ladies made tea and coffee and everyone who helped deserves a big "Thank You."

Veronica Farnell, Market Street, Thornton.

SIR - The entry price into the Euro is that we deposit 80 per cent of our gold reserves with the Central European Bank.

If we surrender 80 per cent of our gold reserves to Europe, our 20 per cent will be insufficient to meet our liabilities to worldwide holders of enormous worthless sterling sums.

We will be obliged to give up our North Sea oil fields, national treasures, key companies, overseas holdings and bases.

Sweden and Finland entered EU for its handouts from us, following decades of socialist profligacy which has bankrupted them. Now the former Eastern bloc, crippled by Communism, seeks to sponge in the same way. Poland as a new member stipulates that it can never contribute to the EU fund.

Our present politicians can be got rid of every five years but not the fat cats of unelected Brussels bureaucrats.

A last-minute new clause has been added to the new EU constitution that allows Brussels to make future amendments without the agreement of the national parliaments.

Get out of Europe and reinstate 700 years of English and Scottish law, our coastal limits and all other UK institutions. We have our own union, the British Commonwealth.

A Clarke, Calverley Bridge, Rodley.

SIR - Once again the citizens of Bradford are presented with a plan by the "usual suspects" which has little or no relevance to the city.

Social cohesion is not about political correctness, it's about honesty and facing real issues that Bradford Council has never had the political will to confront.

The first riots were due to lack of will to control the streets, permitting no-go areas in Manningham, and to political ineptness.

The second riots were predicted as a result of further on-going ineptness.

I note that as the police are no longer responsible for safety. Street cleaners and the like are going to be taught how to defuse a violent attack from yobboes! Is that part of the Council's health and safety policy?

When will someone at City Hall have the honesty to reflect public opinion from all sections of the communities and get control back on the streets of this once proud city?

Les Vasey, Temple Rhydding Drive, Baildon.

SIR - I went down to Centenary Square on Saturday looking forward to a day of sunshine and music. I got four cans of weak lager as I enjoy a drink while listening to music. I was promptly told by Security that drinking was not allowed.

A festival without a drink? I can understand the by-law and the "cider-drinkers" can be a nuisance but I have seen them drinking and the city centre wardens have a word with them then leave them to it.

As it turned out the toilets were closed at 5pm so I had to go to the pub. And it started to rain. Another festival wash-out!

Graham Binns, St.Georges Place, Little Horton