THE fuss and condemnation which seems to surprise Mr J Pilkington (Letters, May 25) is over the way in which untruths are being used to instil fear and hatred.

The BNP is the only political party which uses such dishonest and underhand tricks to obtain the votes of frightened people.

Mr Pilkington is apparently unaware of our democracy where all votes are equal and there is no such thing as voters who are more entitled than others.

There was no fuss made about the election of 'Asian' councillors or ones from any other ethnic group as they are British and, indeed, many are part of the indigenous population. We need to learn about the unknown and not fear things which we do not understand.

Mr Pilkington would need to try to understand that the Britain of the 21st century is not the Britain of the 19th and try to understand his fellow citizens and share his, and our democracy.

Britain has an honourable history in allowing asylum for those who justify it and this I would wish to continue, as would Mr Pilkington if he were ever in need of asylum.

BRIAN TODD, Heys Lane, Blackburn.