The right have had enough. It's time to expose the far left

Muslims march chanting "Allah Akbar" and the liberal left applaud our diversity - and loudly support marches displaying blatant racist slogans relating to British citizens of the Jewish community.

Through all these, the media refer to such individuals as peaceful liberal protesters, with the occasional use of the adjective "left-wing", ignoring extensive damage to property and the disruption to others' lives. Public anti-British racism is applauded by the far left and the media do nothing.

However, as soon as anyone with a non-liberal perspective raises their voice in any manner, they are immediately described as "far-right" by left-wing politicians and our biased liberal media - the BBC being prime culprits - and their motives denounced as racist. It is not racist to be concerned at thousands of unrestricted illegal migrants arriving in the UK - from safe countries in Europe - simply because they know they will receive financial benefits, access to our NHS, and free accommodation.

It is not racist to be concerned that Islamic extremists seek to establish communities in the UK where the laws they follow are to be Sharia, ignoring British law.

It is not racist to be concerned when MPs are elected as "independent" candidates in certain areas of England where they are clearly stood to promote the interests of their own minority community and not those of their constituency - evidenced by racist chanting from their supporters.

For too long the far left have tolerated and indeed encouraged anti-British racism. The right have had enough.

Steph Johnson, Glasgow.

Bring in lessons for immigrants

UNFORTUNATELY we only hear the Muslims who want to turn Britain into the kind of country they have left. The genuine refugees and others who just want a peaceful life suffer from the actions of the ones who march in our streets and twist actions of youngsters into racism.

All immigrants should be taught English and given citizenship classes to explain our culture, how we expect them to integrate into our society and how to treat our women. Not nearly enough, I know, but any time the Government has tried to deport any illegal immigrants, even serious criminals, there have been people preventing them from being deported.

Davina Ellis, Milngavie.

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Innocent of racism

MANY years ago, when my five-year-old son had just started primary school, he came home one day and excitedly told me he had made a new friend. I didn't recognise her name, but he described her as having "a blue coat and a pink school bag". The next day in the playground he pointed her out to me; the little girl was Nigerian, but my son either hadn't noticed the colour of her skin or didn't think it was worth mentioning. And of course, he was absolutely right.

Ruth Marr, Stirling.

Don't let Scotland suffer

AS an increasing number of countries issue warnings over travel to the UK due to the far-right riots, it is to be hoped the UK Government is making clear that these relate only to England and Belfast.

Violence has torn through English towns and cities over the past week, as well as Belfast, after three girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport. We have seen riots erupting in Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool, Plymouth, Sunderland and Belfast, leaving police officers and others injured.

Nigeria, the UAE, Malaysia and Indonesia are just some of those now urging citizens travelling to the UK to take precautions.

As the Edinburgh Festivals move into full swing, and many are looking at summer holiday opportunities, the UK and Scottish governments should be making clear that this disorder is confined to England and Belfast, thereby not potentially deterring people travelling to Scotland.

Alex Orr, Edinburgh.

Case against the death penalty

I CAN tell Alan Fitzpatrick (Letters, August 5) in two words why we should not reimpose the death penalty: Timothy Evans. He was an innocent man hung on the evidence of the actual murderer, John Christie.

History is littered with miscarriages of British justice. In the case of the Birmingham Six, Sir Nigel Bridge regretted that they had not been charged with treason as if they had he would have had them hung. Similarly the Guildford Four and the Maguire Seven, all found guilty, with the judge this time, Lord Donaldson, wishing he had the power to hang them. All these people were proved innocent, some serving as much as 16 years.

George Smith, Clydebank.

• I AGREE with John Burn (Letters, August 5) and wish to propose a judicial re-introduction of clinical applied use of the birch as a first line defence against criminal violence and thuggery; followed by tagging for two years. Perhaps we could also introduce camps under the auspices of the Army where those found guilty could be placed for two years. During this period they would learn discipline and respect.

When the razor gangs were prevalent in Glasgow some 70 years ago it was speedily stamped out by a judge who started doubling the sentence on each additional miscreant brought before him.

James Watson, Dunbar.

Winter allowance is an abomination

WAS the winter fuel payment brought in by Gordon Brown not meant to be a temporary measure until pensions could be paid at a decent rate so that there would be no "poor pensioners"?

Universal benefits by their nature will always go to those who do not need them. This is unfair but the argument put forward by successive governments is that it would be too costly to administer a system of paying on a means-tested basis, which seems an unconvincing argument.

The point is that there should not be any "poor pensioners" in this country. The state pension that has been worked and paid for during a lifetime should be adequate to live on. There should be no need to apply for other benefits.

Nowadays, anyone on a state pension who does not have a private pension is in many ways looked down upon.

This is just wrong. The state pension is the pension in this country.

When I started work in 1970 income tax and National Insurance were 33%, so one week in three of wages was handed over to the government - and gladly as we are all part of a communal system, paying in as we are able not just for pensions but for the NHS and other services.

I had never heard of private pensions. I had never heard of poor pensioners either. In retirement folk who had worked all their lives did not expect to be living the high life. They were happy with a healthy retirement and being comfortable with what they had.

All changed now. There should be no them and us with state pensions. It is contributed by all and paid out to all. If others are fortunate enough to have other savings or income then good for them.

The issue as I see it is that winter fuel payments should not be necessary if the state pension keeps pace with inflation and rising costs. The way out of what is called fuel poverty is for the Government to put price caps on the energy giants and I speak as a 70-year-old woman whose electricity with ScottishPower increased from £55 a month to £262 last winter through price increases not through increased usage. It has come down now, though.

Many people see the winter fuel payment as a fund to buy their Christmas presents with and as for giving it to the wealthy: just no. It is an abomination. Pay in according to your means. Receive according to your needs. Simple.

Dorothy Connor, Rutherglen.

Tim Walz (Image: PA)

Would Walz work here?

GOVERNOR Tim Walz is to be the running mate of Kamala Harris ("Kamala Harris selects Tim Walz as running mate in US election", heraldscotland, August 5). He seems a good pick and is a political liberal who has helped enact in Minnesota free college tuition for low-income families, free meals for schoolchildren, legal recreational marijuana and protection for transgender peoples. He says “you win elections to ... improve lives”.

It is telling that these beliefs would exclude him from the candidate selection process for either the Scottish Tory or Scottish Labour parties.

GR Weir, Ochiltree.