As usual Sir Nic is one of the few MP's to echo the thoughts of the majority of his constituents. I say thoughts because if we dare speak out we are accused of Racism or worse and made to feel guilty. My dad and uncles plus many hundreds of other men and women fought, died or suffered awful physical and mental injuries for freedom of speech and of expression. That has been eroded and those freedoms no longer exist. Whats more thankyou to the media we are submitted to the drip, drip, drip of Chinese Water Torture until many are brainwashed into a guilt trip for thinking normal thoughts. Some parts of this country are no go areas for whites especially after dark yet we are told this is an over reaction and untrue. I know it is a fact and would dare any white person especially MP's or liberal without a bodyguard to walk alone or even in twos in some of these areas without at best feeling intimidated and at worst suffering physical attack. We dont want it, we dont need it. If anyone is not willing to adapt to British life let us send them packing, no payouts, no compensation. Those who want to be truly British should be welcomed. I have stated for years my observation that many young British Asians not so obvious amongst West Indians but relevent to many White African and young Aussies (and it is more acceptable amongst the older folk whom were not born here) that in something as simple as an international cricket match these guys are so pro- their country and anti England even to the point of behaving in a racist manner to those of colour playing for England. Disgusting! Once again Sir Nic, thankyou for airing my views and those of my neighbours far more eloquently than I can myself.

   I never thought I would say it to a conservative...well done nick you know exactly what the majority of the british public want....your views are well right......

   You are dead right Sir Nick.The Conservative Party hierachy should be ashamed of not supporting you. It is typical Cameron of being all things to all men (but absoluetly nothing to some of us). Mainstream politicians refuse to put the interests of the indigenous population first. It is time to break their consensus monopoly and vote for someone else.

   Macclesfield should consider itself fortunate in having a representative prepared to speak the truth without being afraid of being labelled politically incorrect. Well said, Sir Nicholas!

   Well done Sir Nick

Somebody does care about Britain

   I have read some of the comments and wish to make a point. Someone said the British didn't integrate and ask the Maoris. Well, that was 200 years ago and the only people who are not integrating now would be some but not all, Maoris. Let's move on whoever you are. I live here and know. NZ is just as pc as England and quite frankly I am sick of it all. The worst thing that ever happened in life if we want to look back is trying to integrate!!

   Well done Sir Nicholas for voicing out loud what the majority of the British population feel in their hearts, but won't say for fear of being branded racists, Islamophobics, etc etc, etc.

Britain is not an Islamic state, and never will be. This country is a democracy - and those very unhappy Muslims in the UK who wish to live under Islamic law are completely free to race (please do!) to the nearest airport and fly to the oppresive Islamic state of their choice.

Regarding Holly's message about ex-pat Brits not assimilating with the local population - I have no doubt this is true in many cases. However, when was the last time you heard of British ex-pats whose beliefs and ideals were so at odds with those of their chosen host country that they decided to become suicide bombers and kill innocent people on their way to work?

   I'm sure the vast majority of muslims don't want Britain to me an islamic state! Extremists are being quoted as if it it's the majority opinion. And of course Mr Winterton has every right to approach the issue. I just disagree with the way it was done. By citing generalisations and extreme opinions he's only after headlines. I for one am proud to live in a multi-cultural country. That's not to say it's perfect yet by any means but i live in London now and it's an exciting, vibrant and eclectic place.

   Sir Nick is dead-on. Take apart what he said: "Stop politicising dress"; He didn't say stop wearing it, just not to make it a political statement. "They should learn English"; This is basic to functioning in any society. He didn't say to forget their native language, but rather to simply be able to order in a restaurant, watch the news, etc. "They should not return to their homelands to get a spouse, cease forced marriages.."; Are forced marraiges not a violation of basic human rights? Forced marraiges are common in the middle east, Islamic states, not from emmigrants from the Americas, continental Europe and other parts of the world. "Accept once and for all that the United Kingdom is not, and never will be, an Islamic state". I'm not sure how to make this any more basic. If you don't agree, go live in Saudi Arabia. Its lovely in the summer. We need more like him over here, unafraid speak the truth in plain language.

   The points that Sir Nicholas Winterton made than I particularly object to are:

"Not returning to their homeland to get a spouse" would be only be enforceable if all UK citizens were stopped from marrying non-UK citizens.

"United Kingdom is not, and never will be, an Islamic state" This is a bit of a "straw man" argument as only a very tiny minority of the UK muslim population which itself is only 3.1% of the UK's population are actually advocating it.

I think he has also been proved wrong with his "the British public have already forgotten about the atrocities of one year ago" with the commemorations and silences held last Friday.

Luckily for Sir Nick the Muslim population of his, consistuency only numbers 252 out of the total population of 90,109 or 0.28% according to the 1991 census so he won't have upset too many of his constituents directly targetted with his article.

   Good job Sir Nick! As an American it's hard to believe what is happening to Britain. Britain's catering to multiculturism is almost as looney as it is here in Northern California.

   Though I don't agree with Mr Winterton's comments, he is not only entitled to air them, but as an ELECTED community representative arguably has a duty to do so, always providing that he is able to justify comments that apparently reflect the views of his constituants! On the other hand whilst Mr Winterton is fully accountable, both to his constituants and Parliament, can I ask on what basis Ms Janes the director of the REC uses the term 'We' in damning Mr Wintertons comments? If she means that these are her personal views then let her say so, but is this not the very same person whose wholly ill considered blinkered intervention in outright support of Traveller tresspass rights in Middlewich, had a similar effect on promoting local community relations as Attilla the Hun for tourism? Nationally, Trevor Phillips has introduced a much needed common sense approach to cultural issues that are logical, balanced and pragmatic and which I feel are welcomed by the overwhelming majority of the British community. What a pity that his aims, aspirations and personal aptitude appear to be neither recognised nor practiced by Ms Janes!

   Thank you for the article. I am Portuguese and have been living in England for 12 years where i work as a social worker. Since my arrival i have been noticing the hardening of attitudes the British have towards multiculturalim and to a certain degree they are quite right to be critical. Multiculturalism is not working as there are no expectations for people who move to the UK to integrate. Insteed what one sees is the promotion of different cultures being impossed on the British which in my view is very unffair. It;s also bloody stupid and simplistic to call racist and fascist to anyone who wants to start a debate on immigration and islam by doing so it only makes more angry and resentful.

   I totally agree with Sir Nick on this matter, it is time for straight talking with regard to the muslim community. He should be commended for taking a stand on this matter. I mean one bank has set up an "Islam" bank account??????????????? I mean what is that all about???? I recently watched a debate on TV where the muslim council of great britain wanted to live by their laws in this country?????????? If they don't like that laws of the country and they prefer the laws elsewhere - GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND GO TO WHERE THE LAWS ARE THAT YOU WANT TO LIVE BY!!!!!

Keep fighting Sir Nick we are all behind you.

Jo.

   Mr Winterton is not talking about intergration - he is talking about people abandoning what they feel comfortable with to meet his own defined standards. We only have to look to our own expatriates in spain and the middle east to identify how a cultural group are encouraged to "stick together" and clearly identify themselves culturally. there is nothing wrong with this - people are merely meeting a need to be understood and accepted.