Why the BNP have got it all so wrong

SIR - The problem for the BNP is that its black and white world does not fit the reality. In spite of what they have been saying for years, there is no large-scale non-white immigration into Britain and they know it.

There are significant numbers of people coming to Britain for work from eastern and southern Europe, illegally and legally as EU citizens.

The BNP has had to face up to the hard facts that the people that its supporters complain about coming into the country and undercutting wages, etc, are often white.

Nobody likes to admit they have been wrong, not least extremists whose rightness is a defining characteristic that courses through their veins.

So as being wrong is not a possibility, a new policy has to be created, which supersedes the old one that has become outdated. It's out with racial nationalism and in with ethno-nationalism.

Kamran Hussain, Frizley Gardens, Bradford

Better use of cash

SIR - I find it unbelievable that the Canal/Lake farce is really going ahead. I always pictured it a joke, waiting for Bernard Manning coming on next.

How can an elected council waste £350 million on a useless high-maintenance venture using valuable ground space beats me.

Just ask commuters and pedestrians who commute through Saltaire what they think of this ridiculous idea. Any money that Bradford gets should be spent firstly on a road that connects the M606 to the Bingley bypass and then on to the M65 past Skipton with connections to local areas when required.

We also need more police, not "police helpers" but police. We also need two more helicopters that can be used by both the police and ambulance services when required.

The helicopter is by far the best vehicle for accessibility and with its aerial camera views and heat-seeking equipment there is no escape for the "villains".

My suggested water cannon vehicles could also be used by the fire service and the multi-taser armoured vehicle could be used on a lesser scale to protect the police, ambulance and fire service personnel who are in constant danger from the "villains".

Finally, our Air Ambulance should be funded by the government and not charity.

Derek Wright, Westbury Street, Bradford

Unite in protest!

SIR - So many issues, where do we start?

Homes sold to pay for care - we don't need TV programmes to highlight this, it is a national issue and our Bradford MPs must fight to correct this injustice.

We now have a local issue - the rise in council tax, an extra cost which is appearing every financial year.

We find this comes with the information that elderly and disabled home care fees are to be raised. Some of the most vulnerable people will be placed at risk because they cannot afford the costs.

This is unacceptable and dangerous. We have a voice and we must use it.

Brought together in Bradford now are the Older People's Partnership Board and Bradford and District Older People's Alliance. We have been working within these two partnerships and are determined to contribute loudly and firmly.

If we are facing these extra costs we must have value for money. We need pension groups and individuals to unite in protest.

Bradford Senior Power has been formed to make a start, a bright new start. We need a strong membership to move forward.

Jean Walker, Chairman, Bradford & District Senior Power, Kentmere, Wrose

Nothing solved

SIR - I totally agree with what Malcolm Wood said about getting out of Iraq (T&A, March 13).

Our biggest fear now is that our thoughtless President is now going after Iran and soldiers will be sent there. I hope this will never come to pass.

Why do these countries in the Middle East want more "weapons of mass destruction"? No-one is going to build a bomb to drop on Iran, but they goad countries into wanting to impose sanctions against them and then blame the rest of the world.

If the UN sends in peacekeepers, then they threaten to cut off the oil, or threaten the rest of the world that they now have a nuclear capacity.

Will we ever have peace on this earth? We could talk about this for ever and nothing will ever be solved, because they want it all their way.

Diane Duguid, E.4th St, Deer Park, New York

Hidden clues?

SIR - I was taught to read and speak German by an Oxford graduate who had spent his war years with British intelligence, interrogating captured army officers.

One of the few things he told us about his work was that much could be deduced about a prisoner from his writing and in particular how he signed his name.

Thus, the school's art master (he said) had a very plain signature because his real character came out in his work.

Today we have received our council tax demand with an explanatory leaflet above a facsimile signature of the Council leader E Margaret Eaton.

Political psychology has moved on a long way from those war days but it seems clear to me that Ms Eaton has given us a message in the way she forms her capital Es which are indistinguishable from the sign used to denote the European common currency.

Does this mean that despite her party's (not very) long-standing opposition to all things to do with the EU, she is a closet federalist?

Brian Holmans, Langley Road, Bingley

Bus smoke solution

SIR - I agree totally with Paul Donnelly (T&A, March 11) and am not surprised by Mr Hussain, the FirstBus operations director, who claims detection of smoke on his buses is difficult.

Could I suggest a smoke detector, or possibly hiring drivers with a sense of smell? Or is it that 'passenger management' is not in the driver's job title?

Mr Donnelly suggests, quite sensibly, that an inspector might be in order. Well, as our First spokesman totally ignored that suggestion I think we can assume that this is not being considered.

As the government has agreed to not only fine people who smoke in pubs, but also the pub landlord, shouldn't we see this policy rolled out on our busses?

Not only should we fine the smoking passenger but we should also see a hefty fine for the bus company.

Jason Smith, Town Gate, Wyke