There is an unedifying side to a minority of the public and, unfortunately, it is a prejudice that is too often played upon by opportunist politicians desperate for votes.

I've recently concluded a tour of local community councils and other groups and, at each venue, I've asked the audience what it is they want from the council.

One of the last meetings was at a mosque where one person asked if it might be possible for the council to arrange some bus trips to the seaside for the elderly.

The suggestion was accurately reported in the local press, along with my view that it was a good idea which should also be extended to other elderly people in the area.

But it seems some people just want to twist the facts to suit their own questionable agenda. They complain that it is "disgraceful" that local taxes be spent on Muslim bus trips and if the Muslims go to the seaside, then they should go as well.

Apart from the fact that these people have missed the point - the trips were always going to be fully inclusive and much of the cost will be met privately - the whole episode raises a number of concerns.

Firstly, there were 66 community meetings at which people could have asked for such trips for the elderly. The one at the mosque was the only one at which they did.

Secondly, at other meetings many other things were asked for which will be taken up. One example was the people of a small village who asked for a bus link.

It's interesting, however, that the Muslim community - or any other community for that matter - were not then up in arms, screaming prejudice and demanding that they have an extra bus link as well.

This sad state of affairs arises at the same time as a disturbing series of adverts have been placed in local newspapers across the country by the Conservative Party.

As an independent mayor, I have tried to keep out of the General Election campaign. However, I want people to be able to make up their minds on the basis of truthful information.

One such advert states that asylum seekers have "cost" Middlesbrough and Redcar councils nearly £10m in recent years and states that this money could have been spent on "essential local services".

Asylum issues are a legitimate subject for debate but these adverts are completely untrue. The cost of providing services to asylum seekers is reimbursed in full by central government, the net cost to town halls is nil.

Whether a town has one asylum seeker or one million does not make a penny difference to the amount the council has available to spend on essential local services.

I don't blame local Conservatives for this mistake. I believe it was an error of judgement by Conservative Central HQ which has been repeated across the country. But these adverts fuel the prejudices of certain members of the public. Sadly, a minority relish an opportunity to suggest they have been hard done by, especially to the benefit of someone of a different skin colour.

There are those who, long after the last vote has been cast, will use this inaccurate advert as a weapon to cause unrest. National politicians and advisors who unjustly fuel such prejudices for the sake of a few votes should be ashamed of themselves.

Published: 29/04/2005