YOUR columnist Chris Titley is as wrong with his views on William Hague (December 20) as the Campaign for Racial Equality is wrong to try and get William Hague and the Tories to sign a pledge not to bring up race in the next general election.

Why are the CRE so afraid for this topic to be discussed? For many thousands of people in England and the UK, "race" is as important as health, education, transport and jobs.

As with drugs, race issues need to be discussed - we are supposed to live in a democracy and in a free society. We can't let political correctness rule our lives.

William Hague was saddened by the death of Damilola Taylor and he is speaking out for the silent majority. Why criticise him for that?

David Quarrie,

Lynden Way,

Holgate,

York.

...TIRADE Titley has exceeded himself in his latest outpouring of bile. He needs to look to his manners and then look truth in the face. He will then see that most of what he writes is irrelevant rubbish. If he is so enamoured of multi-racialism why doesn't he go and live in Peckham? He would go down well there.

Mr J Stockton,

Ridgeway,

York.

...I DO wish people would stop the criticism of William Hague and his comments about our police force.

Years ago, our policemen and women were a highly respected force. They did us a really marvellous service.

Recently the red tape and office work has taken them off the street, so let us once again treat them with the respect they deserve and stop criticising William Hague for his comments, which were not racist in any way.

Tom Smith,

Heathfield Road,

York.

...HOORAY for Chris Titley in standing up for the real England, the nation of liberal-minded caring people who will rally to a good cause but will not follow rabble-rousers, even though some sections of the media would like us to do so.

I find William Hague's attack on the so-called 'liberal elite' not only offensive but historically inaccurate, as in so doing he is denigrating all the great reformers of all parties who have brought about equality for all, votes for women, better education, a national health service, the end of mass unemployment and a true multicultural society.

Many of us in the older generation have endeavoured to the best of our ability to support these reforms. Chris is to be heartily commended in his recognition of all that has been achieved and debunking the blatant hypocrisy and the crass way that William Hague has displayed recently.

Richard O Whiting,

Redman Close,

York.