How can the BNP not be racist?

Mr Bowden would appear to feel that "the very fabric of true British life is being eroded", that Britain was a "once great country", and only the BNP can address such issues, and put things right. This assertion requires closer examination.

Is there such a thing as the "fabric" of true British life? I suspect it is more of a patchwork than a cohesive fabric, and the history that he hankers after never really existed except in hindsight.

Mr Bowden seems to feel that British societal change is a bad thing, yet all societies change over time, and that must surely be healthy. To refuse to evolve, or admit the need for change, is akin to fiddling while Rome burns.

Mr Bowden states that the BNP is answering such concerns without racial overtones. I must have missed something, as his letter implies such overtones within it. Apparently our country is being "eroded by those who do not have their roots in British soil". If the inference of that statement isn't racist, then I don't know what is.

This country has been through many waves of immigration over centuries. At what point do such immigrant populations become British rather than foreign? I'd be interested to know when Viking or Norman settlers became British. The ethnic minorities/immigrants make up no more than six per cent of the whole population. How does the BNP square this with the alleged destruction of our heritage?

There is so much about the BNP that relies upon the credulity of voters. Let's have a few more hard facts:

Nick Griffin, the leader of the BNP, was convicted in 1998 of (and I quote the BBC) "distributing material likely to incite racial hatred".

John Tyndall, founder of the BNP. Six convictions, including incitement to racial hatred under the Public Order Act.

So these are the people that Bury BNP supporters look up to? How can the BNP not be racist, when its leading lights are people such as these?

We have much to be proud of in Britain, and we shouldnt let ourselves be talked out of that, or allow it to be denigrated. The NHS, whilst not perfect, is free at the point of delivery to every citizen; we have the lowest unemployment for decades and a booming economy; a national minimum wage; a great public broadcasting service, which is internationally respected; democracy and the Mother of Parliaments; free speech, and a free press; our renowned tolerance and fairness, to name but a few.

Concerns about decimalisation and conkers seem a bit trivial in comparison.

As a patriot, I take serious exception to our nation being described in such negative terms. Other nations would do well to take a leaf out of our book, then perhaps the world would be a better place for everyone. To lament change is deny that life can be, and should be, made better.

PATRIOT AND PROUD