No racist rant

I made no complaint as mentioned by Martin R in his July 30 letter, “Glass houses”. I merely stated the fact that the “white, British” (which is how I and others like myself were classified and counted in the UK 2011 census) are now a minority in London, and used that fact as an example to show how mass immigration in such a relatively short space of time can profoundly affect a country. I mentioned my own circumstances only to give an idea of the timescale.

Martin says that I used “the old race card by referring to some immigrants as being illiterate and uneducated with no work skills”. Apparently, to Martin, pointing out facts makes me a racist! Yes, I mentioned that some immigrants are illiterate, uneducated and have no work skills. That’s a fact. In my letter I wrote not only about some of the benefits and advantages of immigration, but also mentioned some of the drawbacks and disadvantages. In other words I gave what I believe to be a fair, but brief opinion on both sides of the debate.

As for his claim that the NHS in the UK is “largely staffed” by immigrants, he is factually wrong. The NHS is largely staffed by Britons. Approximately 87.5% of NHS staff are British, meaning only a minority are immigrants, but no doubt do a wonderful job and make a valuable contribution to the NHS. But I don’t know why Martin mentioned the NHS. I was aware that the NHS employed immigrants and I never said all immigrants were illiterate, uneducated with no work skills.

Martin ended his letter with a proverb, so let me end my letter with a quote, which has been attributed to Thomas Sowell (an American economist):

Racism is not dead, but it is on life support — kept alive by politicians, race hustlers and people who get a sense of superiority by denouncing others as “racists”.

PETER ATKINSON