IN his letter Mr Stone put a new slant on why thousands of Brits fought to prevent a foe from imposing their laws, language, theological beliefs and style of dress on this nation (June 7).

We fought to retain the liberal way of life enjoyed by the British, envied by democratically-minded people and copied by progressive countries.

Of the many men with whom I came into contact during the Second World War, here and overseas, very few, if any, believed we were defending the world against Nazism.

We were defending the tolerant way of life we had enjoyed for centuries. It was very late in the war when the truth about Hitler's regime was revealed to the public and, many years later, it became fashionable to claim we "saved the world". We didn't but we probably saved Britain.

International politics are too intangible for me, I would sooner read the Evening Press and be amused by local politicians contradicting themselves while making claims they cannot substantiate, so I am unaware of the UKIP party's manifesto.

However, I have followed the sacking of Kilroy Silk by the BBC with interest. He appears to have been sacked for requesting the rights we enjoyed before, and immediately after the war to be restored i.e. to observe our laws, to speak the English language, to belong - or not - to whichever religion meets our beliefs and to conform to the dress requirements by our institutions.

I used to work a 70-hour (and more) week for less than £1 at the outbreak of war when I was too young to be in the forces and, because I believed I was helping to defeat the Germans, was stimulated by the experience. It is not too bad, if you have guts.

Joe Jones,

Rawcliffe Lane, York.

Updated: 09:45 Friday, July 02, 2004