RECENTLY I appeared on a television debate programme.

As I got to the car park at the studios there was a crowd protesting because there was to be a discussion. Can you believe it?

They were asking people who were due to take part in the programme to turn round and go away.

I, of course, said no rather strongly and told them that if there is to be a debate, then there must be a for and an against, otherwise it's no debate.

The programme was to be about race and asylum seekers, a free and open discussion if there is there such a thing.

Sadly, I don't think there is any more.

Whatever the subject may be- sex, race, drugs, child abuse, drink or whatever - everyone's thoughts are carefully and guardedly phrased. No-one, not even members of the ordinary public, speaks freely to each other.

The lady of the Weakest Link makes a jokey remark about the Welsh, and lo and behold, the Race Relations Board is thinking of suing the BBC. Just a short while ago nearly all jokes began with "there was an Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman". We didn't think it was racist then, so why is it now, suddenly?

I read that a bloke high up on the Race Relations Board shouted abuse at a policeman, was found guilty and then received a golden handshake of £120,000. Is there anyone out there I can shout at and get the same?

And all this sexual harassment stuff - women going into all-male environments and complaining about being chatted up.

I have been in all sorts of odd situations, but if they have got out of hand it has mainly been because I haven't been careful enough or perhaps firm enough in the first place.

I don't mind admitting I was always flattered if I got whistled at - and I'd have been dammed annoyed if I hadn't been worth a chat-up.

Yes I am firmly convinced flirting makes the world go round, or at least helps to make the time go very pleasantly by. Life on the factory floor (I don't mean that literally) was made tolerable and happy by the banter, backchat and the sometimes not too innocent flirtations that went on. We all understood that most of it was good-natured and we learned along the way how to deal with it if it wasn't.

Would we have complained about a friendly pat? Yes, we would - but only if we didn't get one.

I'll leave that thought with you.

Let us know what you think about Margo's views by writing to Letters to the Editor, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Newspaper House, High Street, Blackburn BB1 1HT.