The writer is wrong to state that 4000 homosexuals have been executed in Iran. Unlike political opponents, who have been executed in large numbers, homosexuals do not threaten the regime.(However it is true that a number of homosexuals were executed in the first years after the revolution). To make statements like this tends to discredit in people's minds the actually correct reports of large numbers of executions of political opponents.

Also, it is a matter of common knowledge that the pretexts used by the majority of Iranian asylum seekers to demand asylum are false. Though the individual in question may indeed be a homosexual, I would like to remind the writer that it is also possible that he may turn out a homophobic person once he gets his asylum, just as people who have got their asylum through "conversion to Christianity" have laughed at Christianity afterwards and those who got it through political activity have generally been unsympathetic to genuine political opposition.

Ali, San Francisco, USA

To James of Norwich. The problem with the categorisation is that all are then deemed blessed with the same and only virtue! There are only certain peoples - from a couple of countries - from the continent of Africa - with the the propensity to be able runners. (and the phrasing is intended to underline the point!!) And no doubt the same holds true for the peoples of China and their capacity as mathematicians!

To acknowledge that fact, is not to pretend that everyone is equal. It is simply the assertion of a FACT!

Ms Ford, Paris, France

Tony must understand that distillation produces whiskey and thus a feeling of well being - a factor now difficult to associate with being British - followed by a hangover.
In these matters, that one examines dissipates to fumes and "Britishness" is no exception.If you want clarity try distilling the single malt of being English and leave the debate to those who are not so blessed and need to wrap themselves in a flag.
Unlike Gordon Brown we are confident in our nationality and usually demonstrate it in silence and leave the strident silliness to others,while appreciating their fine exports.

robert everitt, wolverhampton,

I do hope some enterprising railway line names a locomotive the "Matthew Parris" - or better still, the "Mighty Matthew Parris" What a treat that would be!

Geoffrey McNab, Belfast,

If Rock "Newton" Tsui has a Chinese accent then doesn't that suggest a strong influence from Chinese culture on his life, making it more likely to be his cultural background rather than race that had an impact on his maths performance?

Incidentally the Chinese emphasis on learning by rote may have something to do with this (can be a good thing, but it diminishes the relative importance of creative and critical thinking).

Spot on regarding Gordon, as always.

James, London, UK

You're right. While racial stereotyping makes no sense on an individual level (there must be any number of genetically innumerate Chinese), on a general level they're disturbingly accurate.

Too many of us can't draw a distinction between the two.

Ken Leyland, Liverpool, U.K.

real fame comes in england (this may also be true in wales ireland and scotland) when someone has a steam loco or a pub named after them so lady hilton was obviously well thought of in the area.

david c, purbeck,

Dear Peter Goddard,

The writer's first name is 'Matthew' not Martin, and the term 'Britishness' is a perfectly proper one. The concept involves a kind of distillation of the essence of idealised British values, manners and behaviour. It is I am sure well understood by most of us as would be the term 'Scotishness'.

Tony Volpe, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Thanks to many years of your Party Matthew and now this one [New Labour] all the values we once loved have gone forever - sorry but lament lament but know your history !!!

Ian Payne, WALSALL,

How refreshing (and typical) that Matthew is able to break to stifling Millenarian 'liberal' taboo that must pretend everyone is equal, regardless, else be charged with the modern heresy of 'racism', or 'sexism', or both. We all know that given 100 random Chinese and 100 random Africans one group will excel at things like maths and the other at things like running. May his colleagues too manage to break out of the hypocritical and cowardly cant that so distorts modern debate of almost everything.

James, Norwich, UK

How I hate that word Britishness. It is meaningless.
In this context Martin you mean English: stop this BBC PC and just say it: ENGLISH.

Furthermore, I note you find no problem in the word Scottish, so please when referring to something or someone who is English, then please remember we English have our pride too.

Peter Goddard, Epsom, England, EU

How I hate that word Britishness. It is meaningless.
In this context Martin you mean English: stop this BBC PC and just say it: ENGLISH.

Furthermore, I note you find no problem in the word Scottish, so please when referring to something (or someone) who is English, then please remember that we English have our pride too.

Peter Goddard, Epsom, England, EU

Mathew, leave the buffoons to worry about plastic bags and citizenship tests, it occupies their latent desire to interfere and meddle in our lives.
It could be much worse. They could be asking us to carry identity papers, filming our every move or setting up a huge data base of personal data.

Tom Payne, Huddersfield, Uk

It was only when I left the UK that I discovered what Britishness is and how important it is in the modern world. I was never a fanatical royal fan but when you live in a country with presidents (Greece) you miss the pomp and circumstance of royalty. It adds style and grace to a mundane world. We descry empire now but when I meet an increasing number of those citizens, mostly African and Indian, whose parents lived in British imperial times I find an immediate bond with them. In the first place they speak recognisable English and respect the individual. Then there are smaller things, like not shouting in public, or eating voraciously in public or respecting the discipline of the queue. Most politicians are corrupt but British politicians are less corrupt than most. They also genuinely represent their constituents and are not mere ciphers on a party list at election time. Today in Athens almost everyone is on strike, reminiscent of Callaghan's winter of discontent. But then came Mrs T.

Dr David Green, Athens, Greece