Hear all sides

HAVING fully read William Hague's grossly misinterpreted 'Foreign land' speech, I wish to tell readers he does not make any reference to ethnic people, but merely states a few of the downsides of joining the euro currency.

I quote one example: "The Royal Mint melting down pound coins as the euro starts to circulate. Our currency has gone forever."

Could anyone say that Britain will not be akin to a foreign land when we have given away our currency, control of our economy, tax system, defence policy, not to forget our sovereignty?

On illegal immigration, Mr Hague says: "British people understand that Britain has responsibilities to those people who have been displaced by war or persecution, but they can also read maps and they can tell that something is going badly wrong when tens of thousands of people are crossing Europe before lodging asylum claims in Britain. Something is badly wrong when people hide underneath high speed trains to gain access." - JW Heslop, Gainford.

WITH regard to your article (Echo, Apr 20) 'Hague under pressure', this country must be mad when it allowed Robin Cook to insult the British people by saying we are not a race.

We have been here for thousands of years and built this country to what it is and the racist Labour Party is trying to destroy everything we have fought and worked for for generations. To think these people are in charge of this island. They further offer insults of racism to those who care about England, its history, the sacrifice of its soldiers in World War Two, when the sea ran red with blood at Dunkirk.

None of this matters to the political left-wing who have wished to destroy the British people for years and are now well on their way to doing so.

I hope the British people will now have enough sense to see through this Government's propaganda on this issue and give them the boot at the next election, for the future of this country, which Cook and his cronies hold in such contempt. - Andrew Phillips, Bishop Auckland.

ROBIN Cook has a flaming cheek saying there is no such race as the British. What about the noble Celtic races who are the indigenous inhabitants of these shores?

In an ideal world there would only be one race, the human race. But we do not live in Utopia, as God created disparate races and there is a limit to how often men like Mr Cook can trivialise the traditions and customs of people less internationalist than they are.

I seldom read statements by politicians about the Pakistanis or Chinese not being races, which makes me think there is a conspiracy against the British.

It is totally unbelievable that a British Foreign Secretary can be so cruel and callous towards his own tribe.

It is sad to think that this Government turns a blind eye to the cultural preferences of millions while, for the sake of tougher laws, is admitting the surplus peoples of Africa and Asia. It is perverted. - Andrew Lightfoot, Bridlington.

QUOTE from William Hague: 'England run by foreigners.' He's quite right. Labour Party, Prime Minister, Scot; Chancellor of the Exchequer, Scot; Foreign Minister, Scot, all in prime position.

The English are doled out the most critical positions, health, education, transport, farming and fishing.

They are not a very good choice, but I suppose they can take any criticism without defence.

Lib-Dems. Charles Kennedy, Scot. When the English vote in the next General Election consider your options, foreign or indigenous? - K. Cheesmond, Bishop Auckland.

RICH LIST

LISTS of the richest people in the country, which have been appearing recently, give one great pause for thought. The fortunes are listed in multiple millions or even billions, sums unheard of even in fairy stories up until a few years ago.

Where is it going to end? How much money does one person or couple really need? More importantly, what do they do with it all, indulge themselves or help others?

It is astounding to think how many people receive (I won't say earn) millions of pounds every week. If things go on like this, before long their fortunes will be listed in trillions and whatever is the next mind boggling total above that.

Where is the sense in that when millions of human beings are living in poverty and starvation. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

PETER MULLEN

WITH regards to Peter Mullen's article (Echo, Apr 24) methinks he needeth to move into the 21st century. He writeth against ye modernisation of the wedding service and giveth examples, but doth he not think that phrases like 'and thereto I plight thee my troth' need explanation?

Methinks, despite the surprising sense of humour, instead of the usual rant, that his thoughts are typical of the reactionary response we have come to expect from him and one reason why churches are empty.

At least the modernisers tryeth to move the church forward and are not locked in the 16th century where much of his thinking, which we wearily read week after week, is locketh. - John Graham, Esh Winning

I ENJOY reading the letters in Hear All Sides. Some of the correspondents are more interesting than some of your columnists.

I am not a political animal, but I note that there have been letters of protest of late asking why you employ a clergyman to write a political column on behalf of the Conservative Party each Tuesday. They say that he should be writing about ecclesiastical matters.

Lo and behold, his last two articles have actually been about religious affairs.

By their actions the protestors have proved that indeed the pen is mightier than the sword. Those letters have been heeded. Perhaps in future the Reverend Gentleman will leave politics to the politicians. - J Willis, Shotton.