I am surprised by Ian Robertson’s comments (Nov 11) at Chalkwell Ward Residents Association quoted in the Echo. He states white British people are being ignored as a result of efforts to help Southend’s ethnic minorities. He further expresses his concerns that ghettos will be created as a result of efforts on aiding ethnic groups. Does he indicate that white British people are in need of more assistance to become more British? How could that be achieved? Who would define the true meaning of British? Is he reintroducing the “cricket test”? How could efforts on aiding ethnic groups, with the intention to facilitate inclusion in society, result in more ghettos being created? Ghettos are created by a non-inclusive society, xenophobia and people’s fears, not by trying to achieve inclusion, tolerance and mutual respect. Mr Robertson seems to advocate less help and less inclusion. What good could come out of that?

Dr Lars Davidsson
Leigh Road
Leigh

...An Echo report (Nov 11) said: “An outspoken councillor claims white British people are being ignored as a result of efforts to help Southend’s ethnic minorities”. I would submit they are not outspoken enough. The words that are missing from the report are “England” and “the English”, the indigenous people who live in this part of Essex. They don’t get anything like the consideration and the resources more recent arrivals get. To state such views is usually to invite the appellation “racist”, which is a convenient label with very wide applications, especially where the matter of skin colour is raised. Southend and the rest of Essex were all part of that ancient and proud land called England, peopled by the English, a race to which I am proud to state that I belong.

Margaret Stoll
Rochefort Drive
Rochford