IT is odd that Christopher Wardell (HAS, May 21), Ralph Musgrave and Des More (HAS, both May 25) seem to think that criticising British foreign policy amounts to hating Britain, as they criticise other aspects of government policy themselves.

I also wonder if they understand that multiculturalism simply means that people of different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds who live here are welcome to practise their own religions and customs, so long as they abide by the law and respect the cultural traditions of others, including the majority.

Those who are opposed to this should explain what a monocultural society would be like, and how it could be achieved.

There is no conflict between multiculturalism and patriotism, either. One reason I love England is that it is multicultural. That being my view, these correspondents suggest I should emigrate to a Muslim country. That makes no sense.

I have greatly enjoyed visits to Muslim countries like Turkey and Tunisia. Multiculturalism is not incompatible with Islam, but some Islamic regimes are repressive and intolerant of minorities. We should not adopt the same intolerant attitude to the Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, etc, who live in Britain.

Pete Winstanley, Durham.

THE writer of a letter (HAS, May 21) says if people are not proud to be British they should leave the country. Are the Polish people, Romanians, Pakistanis, Indians and Chinese proud to be what they are?

If so, they should go back to where they came from so our people could get good jobs and decent housing, and a good standard of living.

I'm British, and not proud of it, but you won't change immigration laws in a foreign country. Who said Enoch Powell was wrong? No way.

John Hoodless, Darlington.