Letters

F WEALANDS (HAS Aug 27 and 29) blames poverty and social deprivation on asylum seekers and illegal immigrants.

It is unlikely that even a total end to immigration would have any measurable effect on these problems.

Poverty in Britain causes real hardship, but it is not in the same league as poverty in other parts of the world, where, for example, a child dies every 15 seconds simply because he or she has no access to clean water. Poverty can be as oppressive and life-threatening as persecution, which blurs the distinction between "genuine" asylum seekers and "economic migrants".

Protectionism means that the poorest nations lose $1,000bn a year to the richer nations, about 20 times what they receive in aid.

Meanwhile, British workers are put out of work, unable to compete with imports from countries where people will work for a pittance and endure a standard of living no Westerner would accept.

Global commerce is controlled by the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO, which are dominated by multinational corporations whose only motive is to maximise their profits. It is in no one else's interest that this should continue - trade should be in the hands of organisations which are democratically accountable to all.

Our destinies are inextricably linked. The more we strive to hold onto the lion's share of the cake, the more the cake will crumble; while others will even risk their lives for the smallest crumbs. - Pete Winstanley, Durham.

HOW dare the deputy prime minister overrule protests against the building of a large scale asylum centre in rural Oxfordshire (Echo, Aug 20)?

The people of the village concerned have made it abundantly clear that they don't want the centre, especially as, once there, the asylum seekers will be free to come and go as they please.

Many people will remember how, when waves of immigrants began to enter Britain nearly 50 years ago, the then government dismissed concerns and protests, announcing that the people from overseas were coming and we just had to accept it.

Once more the people of Britain are being told to shut up and accept it because our towns and villages are to become centres for asylum seekers no matter what local people say or feel.

Is this attitude by the Government correct? A parliament is elected to serve the people, not to dictate and force things to happen against the will of the people. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

ALASTAIR CAMPBELL

FOR the Labour Party, the departure of Alastair Campbell as Communications Director for the Prime Minister is a significant moment. His contribution to the work of the Labour Government has been an outstanding one.

The Labour Party had, through most of its existence, not been good at presenting itself to the public. It was a sensible decision from their point of view to utilise the talents of the political editor of a tabloid newspaper. The reach of tabloid newspapers is a key factor in a democracy.

The improved presentation has enabled the Government to put a gloss on their work and continue to address a substantial proportion of the public who read the newspaper Mr Campbell worked for, which has been inclined to support Labour. The results of two General Elections have demonstrated that this approach has worked well.

It is important that the person leading the presentation is, as Mr Campbell was, someone who was enthusiastic about the Labour cause, particularly in its latest manifestation. Without this change in approach by the Labour Party it would have been seen to be out of step with the times, and it would have sunk into oblivion.

What the Labour Party would do well to do now is to review its policies, because important as presentation is, it can sometimes be nothing more than cosmetic. - Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.

OH dear! What's gonna happen to poor old Pooh Blair now that Campbell's gone and left him in the soup - and a thick condensed one at that? - Derek W Hall, Hartlepool.

EUROPE

IF the European Union is to maintain a shred of respectability or political sustainability it must not be hamstrung by a rigid constitution.

The negotiations at the European Convention on the Future of Europe have been a perfect opportunity for the EU to simplify existing treaties, to develop plans for co-operation on tackling asylum and drug trafficking, to increase democratic accountability and to enhance free trade.

Sadly, this has not happened. We are instead faced with more bureaucracy, more political harmonisation and less say for the British people.

This Government now owes it to the electorate to have a referendum on this issue.

Here in the North-East a referendum is being held on whether or not we should have a regional assembly. The referendum was triggered because the Government received just 400 requests for a vote.

The issue of a European Constitution, with all its associated problems, is arguably a far more significant development for the future of this country - surely we deserve a say on this as well. - Jeremy Middleton, Prospective European Parliamentary Candidate, North East Region.