Letters

Sir - Although not a supporter of the BNP, reading your comment column in Saturday's T&A I was amazed you thought the BNP result caused 'shame'.

I read too, the council leaders dismiss the BNP and say they will not have a working relationship with them.

This is a democratic country. If the BNP have won any areas, then it is the will of the people, to have a voice via the BNP candidates.

Everyone who votes should be heard, whether we agree with what they say or not and the council should work with them. Remember the council works for all the people of Bradford and we pay our taxes to them, so everyone is entitled to join in debates.

I am surprised you chose to enter the arena to make such a biased opinion.

I don't like the current Government, the Prime Minster or his policies nor the war in Iraq, but he was voted in democratically and until we can vote him out in the same way, we are stuck with him, like it or not. Meanwhile everyone who is voted in has a voice and opinion to be listened to.

Paul Thommesen, Peterborough Terrace, Undercliffe

l EDITOR'S NOTE: I think we've made our editorial opinion clear regarding the BNP. As a newspaper we are legally and morally bound - as well as by the Press Complaints Commission Code of Practice - not to promote racism.

It's a wake-up call

Sir - If Bradford's non-BNP councillors are dismayed at the election of four BNP councillors, who are they dismayed at?

The voters for being taken in by the BNP? The BNP for offering better policies (if they deliver them or not is another matter)?

But maybe the Tories, Labour, et al should look to themselves for failing to offer, in the eyes of the voters, a realistic alternative.

It's a wake-up call to the mainstream parties: start earning the expenses you claim, make a difference for Bradford, deserve the votes you seem to think are your God-given right!

Adrian Freeman, New Works Road, Bradford

Voters were fooled

Sir - You say in your front page report (T&A, June 12) the BNP might have won a further seat in Queensbury had it not "split its own vote". I would suggest that is incorrect.

There were three councillors being elected in that ward, and each voter may vote for three candidates - they may not vote for one candidate more than once.

I would suggest there are around 1,400 voters who were fooled by that racist party in the area of Queensbury. I would hope this vote marks the high water mark of BNP racism in the area.

More disturbingly, our region has contributed something like 126,000 votes to the BNP in the European polls. This suggests the BNP are becoming widely seen as an acceptable vote of protest.

Should any reader think the BNP is becoming "acceptable", I would suggest they look at www.redwatch.org.uk.

This site is associated with the BNP and is clearly aimed at perpetuating the brutal thuggery racist parties have long been linked with.

The low turnout has allowed extreme parties to flourish. Only by the silent majority getting off its collective backside and voting will we defeat the racists who claim to represent us.

Stewart Ellinson, Weston Drive, Otley

Why no debate?

Sir - May I protest at your editorial comment "Result that causes us shame" (T&A June 12) and the comments by councillors Eaton and Greenwood.

Of the new council make-up Councillor Eaton says 'there are 90 of us and we are not going to let four people dominate or make progress,' and Councillor Greenwood says the BNP have proved on other authorities they are incapable of representing the aspirations and needs of the communities.

Is this not the very reason some of the outgoing councillors lost their seats? Because the electorate did not think they were representing the aspirations of the community?

As for Councillor Eaton's comment, these councillors were democratically elected. That means people took time out to voice their opinions whether you like them or not.

If you don't agree with what opposing parties put forward you debate policies and try and come to some agreement, you don't throw your toys out of the pram.

We have just witnessed the anniversary of the D-Day landings where British troops lost there lives fighting for freedom of speech, and some councillors say you won't listen to other people's opinions.

They really are a disgrace to the Labour movement.

D L Hillam, Hawes Terrace, Little Horton

Silly behaviour

SIR - I was reading about the election results (T&A, June 12) when I was shocked to see that the Labour group leader, Ian Greenwood, has refused to communicate with the BNP councillors.

It does not matter if he agrees with their policies or not. They have been voted on to the Council by the people and have the same right to be there as him.

How can we expect a council to work if such silly behaviour as this is happening?

Does he not care what the people of Bradford think?

A Sharp, Westminster Terrace, Bradford.

On your marks...

Sir - Being a motor sport fan and having enjoyed the thrills and spills of Formula One, it got me wondering why Bradford Council has not promoted more motor sports.

Take for example Park Road, Bingley. As a spectator, I have to pay good money to stand and watch the Harewood Hill climb. Now I don't have to, as I can stand at the side of Park Road and watch it free!

The sheer thrill those drivers get from Park Road having no "obvious" speed limit - I envy them. I read something in the Highway Code about the spacing of lamppost's and maximum 30mph speed limits?

No - surely they mean a minimum. As for a top speed - anything goes!

So come on Bradford, support your local racetrack, Park Road, Bingley. It's free, its open 24 hours a day and there are no trackside marshals to spoil your high-speed fund. Just bring your vehicle and push that "pedal to the metal!"

What about pedestrians? That's the only drawback you see, as it's only a matter of time before one gets knocked down, then the powers-that-be will just go and spoil all that fun you're having.

Andy Blue, Park Road, Bingley

Lessons of history

Sir - I refer to the recent bitter exchanges in correspondence from City and Park Avenue supporters.

Despite the changes in this city since Bradford PA lost its league status in 1970, it is sad that so many people in Bradford maintain the outdated rancour of the old Park Avenue-City rivalry.

What is at stake is the need to preserve professional soccer in Bradford. The only way that that is going to be achieved is by saving Bradford City rather than sustaining a fanciful dream that Bradford PA could be the standard bearers of the city.

It would make far more sense if the two clubs combined and focused their energies on developing a sports organisation with which Bradfordians of the 21st century could identify.

Park Avenue cry out for a decent stadium and yet the obvious solution would be to share at Valley Parade. Despite the lessons of Bradford football history it's not going to happen though, is it? Why? Because some things in Bradford don't change - rampant small-mindedness and a lack of vision!

John Dewhirst, Beechwood Avenue, Moorhead, Shipley

Time to resign

Sir - Having read the newly-released police league tables, perhaps the hierarchy at West Yorkshire police will realise what the public has been trying to tell them for years - that they are useless.

It is about time they all resigned and allowed somebody with some understanding of the public's needs and expectations to take over.

Andrew Bairsto, Ravenscliffe Avenue, Bradford

Take religion out of the schools

SIR - How I agree with MP Ann Cryer, right, (T&A, June 8). We do not need Muslim-only schools in Bradford. This is one of the dangerous ways of creating massive divisions in the community.

It is now time for the council and the Government to stop positive discrimination on behalf of the ethnic minorities before it creates a terrible backlash from the indigenous population.

Why not ban "all" religions being taught in schools? After all it is the job of the parents, the mosques and churches, not ordinary teachers.

N Brown, Peterborough Place, Undercliffe.