I believe that immigration is now out of control. I am an immigrant myself. I came here as a qualified professional, whose skills were needed in the UK. If that was right in the mid-sixties, it is right now. Far too many unskilled and unqualified people are now entering the UK, often claiming to be asylum seekers. Even when these claims are found to be false, it is difficult to evict them. There are far too many countries with autocratic and oppressive regimes, like Afganistan and Iraq. Their combined populations run into many hundreds of millions. Only a complete moratorium on asylum seekers would address the problem. Name and address withheld

Britain is in the middle of a demographic revolution. We face increased life expectancy, falling birth rates and severe skill shortages. To meet the combined effects of these changes, we need large scale immigration into this country for at least the next thirty years. That is if we want to sustain our health and welfare systems and avoid very large increases in taxation. Politicians from all major parties - even the Conservatives - privately admit that the future demographic shape of Britain in the 21st century will require large scale immigration. There are other changes which few seem prepared to discuss. Within ten years or so, there will be more non-white than white people in London. Sometime towards the end of this century, the same may become true of Britain as whole. There could also be more British Muslims than Christians at some point. Yet most politicians seem scared to discuss the consequences. In contrast to Michael Howard's posturing on the issue, it would perhaps be much more constructive to see an open political debate, without prejudice, concerning all the issues arising from the future changes which Britain faces. What we must not do is to allow racists to exploit fear and misunderstanding where there is an opportunity to build greater harmony between our various diverse communities. Dominic Carman, London

I think there is a lot of confusion between legal and illegal immigrants and asylum seekers. A lot of people, when they hear the word "immigrant" immediately presume it is in reference to people who are here to live off benefits, but forget that many immigrants are here perfectly legitimately, to work, pay taxes and to contribute to the economic growth of Great Britain. Nor are all immigrants from ethnic minority backgrounds, as is often suggested. Race shouldn't really be part of the argument. Each immigrant should be evaluated on his or her personal merits, regardless of whether they are from France or from Afganistan. It does seem that illegal immigration is out of control, yes, but this should not limit the number of people admitted to Britain who possess valuable skills of which there is a shortage in this country. Not all immigration is bad immigration and people forget that too often. Name and address withheld

As an Australian who has now spent 15 months in the UK, I fail to see how any British person can continue to pretend that this tiny little island is not over-populated. From the teeming hordes of London (a city which is overcrowded, under-sanitised and simply begging for modernisation) to the myriad socio-economic problems now plaguing the nation (NHS breakdown, pension breakdown, law and order breakdown, unaffordable housing, etc.) there is ample proof that Britain's need for immigration control is undeniable. This is not about racism, since immigration control affects All immigrants regardless of their racial background. This is not about prejudice, since Howard wants to take asylum applications from people in UN refugee agency camps. This is not about scaremongering, since Britain's problems are self-evident. This is about a nation which is no longer capable of providing a reasonable standard of living for her current population. Labour will achieve nothing by cramming more people into a country which can't support them. Dave Burke, Birmingham

It's clear that there are two sides to this debate: the side that wants mature and adult discussion in order to create a realistic, fair, and workable policy; and the side that simply screams "racism" and "xenophobia" at any suggestion that the world isn't how they would like it to be. Alex Swanson, Milton Keynes

The notion that the Tory policies are racist is utterly stupid. People who do not support the Conservatives' views immediately turn this into a race issue to discredit it. It is not a race issue. It is about how we allow this massive influx into Britain. It is about how to control immigration to still allow for genuine asylum seekers, without simply throwing the doors open to anyone who wants entry. Name and address withheld

Listening to Michael Howard I was put in mind almost immediately of Enoch Powell's "Rivers of Blood" speech all those years ago. It is not necessary to listen to the words spoken, but to judge the overall impression that is deliberately and disgracefully meant. I thought that inclusion was a key point in Howard's accpetance speech on his election as Conservative leader. This has been shattered and the core right pandered to. This will cause his undoing. Robert Benoist, Derby

The immigration debate is really about those immigrants who are seen to be getting something for nothing whilst hard working Brits have to wait and take their place in the queue. As a developed country, we have a social responsibility to help ease the suffering of others, but not at the expense of our own quality of life. We are after all, only a small island. Name and address withheld

It is with interest that I watch the discussion on UK immigration having lived in England most of my life before moving to Australia which has strict immigration policies. Australia has implemented its policy as it is aware that its infrastructure and tax base cannot sustain open immigration that allows people who cannot contribute to the cost of supporting themselves to enter. Yes its a financial not racist policy. Melbourne is one of the most multicultural cities in the world which has been built on the back of migrants, but as a country we simply cannot afford to support everyone who wants to come here. All the do-gooders just don't seem to understand this basic point, and turn to the simple answer of it being a racist policy. If the UK does not act soon it will be too late. It's not racist, it's just financial common sense. Name and address withheld

Immigration is not out of control. What is out of control is law enforcement. If those visiting or choosing to reside in this county obey the law, then they deserve the same rights as any (long-term) British citizens. If they flout the law, then they likewise should be treated as anyone else and punished. As a businessman, I know most immigrants are hard working and don't complain, unlike some English workers I have had the misfortune of employing or contracting. Alex Blok, London

I live in Chelsea and I see a growing number of immigrants on the streets every day and wounder on what basis they are being allowed entry into the country. Are they here legally, or are they on holiday visas - much open to abuse. It is the cost to the country that concerns me, as well as the social changes it brings. Already, we see places like Oldham and Burnley where the indiginous white population is being replaced by ethic minorities that are now becoming majorities. They have prospered from the generosity of this country, but are not part of the social structure and often keep within their own communities. This will cause divisions within society and will lead to conflict, particuarly as the local whites only see the BNP as the only party who will champion their rights. James Prior, London

It would be disheartening in the exteme if Michael Howard's tasteless campaign was to secure him victory. The only encouraging sign is that younger Conservatives like David Cameron appear to be distancing themselves from his stance. Nick Biggs, London

Government forecasts show the UK population rising by six million in the next 25 years. Some five million of the increase is based on immigration. There does not appear to be any real planning to build the infrastructure to cope with such an influx. Surely our quality of life will be diminished. Congestion is bad enough already - a further five million in the South East of England seems a bridge too far. Trevor James, Horsham

Indeed, Mr Howard is trying to fuel xenophobia for his own electoral gain. My local Tory candidate was asking me to vote for him inspite of my immigrant status. I am already here legally and they do not plan to do anything about me. It is sad that leaders of such stature in a country I have hitherto respected and held beloved with my own native country must resort to fanning human hatred and fear of the unknown for their own agendas. Amuda ter Bekke, Romford

As immigration is the entry to a foreign country for the purpose of a long-term stay involving work, then surely immigration has nothing to do with racism, but everything to do with what the migrant can offer the country he/she wishes to move to. As such it is in the interests of the economy of that country to take in people with skills that will generate greater prosperity for the nation both now and in the future, rather than individuals that have no skills and are unemployable that end up as nothing more than a drain on society. Better to take sensible action now - then more extreme action later. Or worse still, no action at all - the New Labour way. Name and address withheld

James Prior, of London, is wrong when he suggests that the white population of Oldham is on the verge of being replaced. The 2001 census shows that Oldham's population is 86 per cent white. In only two of Oldham's 20 wards is the white population less than 50 per cent. In Greater Manchester 91 per cent of the population is white; in the North-West 94 per cent. Get it into perspective. Philip Hirst, Oldham

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