So Margaret Hodge says that British families should be housed before immigrants. Something that is self-evidently common sense but for which 'British' people have been castigated as racist for daring to utter these past thirty years, by Hodge's own Labour Party especially but also the other Establishment parties in the grip of political correctness. Indeed Hodge is being attacked by her own side - currently Diane Abbot and others. But... has all this got more to do with Hodge's new political reality close to home; the fact that the BNP are the main opposition on Barking Council and the main challenger at the next election in her Barking constituency? If she is 'attacked' by her own side especially she takes on a martyr status for 'her beliefs' which, lets face it, are very recent indeed! Voters do not be duped! We've seen all this before when the Tories have played the immigration card and then when they have seen off the genuine challenger (BNP in this case) they do nothing!

David Moon, Seaford, East Sussex

If immigrants come here then they should pay their own way just like we would have to anywere else in the world! British taxes should be spent on the BRITISH, not foreigners. Who gives a damn if they have 5 kids and are forced out onto the street? Not me, it's not our problem! Let their own governemnts suppost them.

Jon, Newport,

Maybe if the British families were to be called " Native Britains", this might help the PC problem. I am an Ex-Native.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA texas

The perfect example of Labour shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted a long, long time ago. England is the destination of choice for countless numbers of those heading for the world's preferred benefits Utopia.

Is nt it also the case that asylum seekers can play the 'race card' with ease when all else fails ?

Perhaps Ms Hodge is raising this issue now as she senses her cushy job as a Labour MP is under threat ?

Rick, London, England

I have worked in Housing for over 15 years. The policies leave a bitter taste in the mouth. The indigenous British are clearly discriminated in respect of housing. They will mostly be classed as " Homeless at Home" , they do not traditionally have large Families, do not have the luxury of having arrived in the U.K by plane or in the slightest be fleeing persecution of some sort or have the possibility of seeking refuge. They unfortunately can speak English.

For an indigenous Briton to be housed they have to have Mental Health problems, flee domestic violence or have children, a single Mother . If you a single m an forget it - the streets are your home.

It is high time that something is done Charity begins at home everywhere else in the world apart from my beloved Britian. I can write this because I am a Black Briton, if my fairer brothers and sisters wrote this they would be accused of being Racist.

Simi Adedeji, luton, bedfordshire

The response from Nancy Kelly, who is being paid by the British Taxpayer, to the remarks of Margaret Hodge is disgraceful. The reason that the BNP is growing, along with the number of racial problems, is because the British Citizens (black, White sky blue pink) are being treated as secondary to immigrants, of various types. The needs of the British Citizen should be met first and the immigrants take what is left... if they and the Refugee Council and their employees cannot accept this then they have a clear option... bugger off to another country.

david mckeever, Northampton, England

Our own citizens should take priority but they won't, there are too many self-interested, smug pressure groups pushing foreigners to the front of the queue. There is an appalling disrespect for the low paid in Britain. This Government seems to think that the low paid should be doing something else, ( at the same time as ensuring that they can't because of the lack of workplace mobility). Inviting a family with 7 kids into the country just punishes the low paid. It is an extra slap in the face: Low pay and no chance of independence either. We are patronised by disingenuous politicians when they put foreigners at the top of the list for social housing. There is also a growing list of our own people needing it which is increasing by the day. Immigration needs to be sharply curtailed and so do politicians if they have no appreciation of how awful it is to be put behind a family of foreigners in a queue for housing when you have lived here all your life. Our own should come first.

Judy , Liverpool, england

And to think that countries like Holland give people from abroad priority where housing is concerned, because otherwise they'd end up homeless. Mind you, they aren't morons who sell off council housing, there's plenty of rented accommodation to go around.

"Ok BNP are hopeless but id vote for them to make a point"

I wonder how many people who voted for the NSDAP had the same attitude.

starling, Lancaster,

"What people here, seemingly have said, is that white people should be given priority over people of colour."
~Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, England.

Dear Jennifer,
Being British does not mean only white people.
I've learned today from timesonline (business section) that 45 per cent of Muslims were born here. There are of course blacks, indians, asians, europeans...people from around the world who are born here. I, myself, completely agree with Margaret Hodge's suggestion.

Mohammed, London, UK

"What people here, seemingly have said, is that white people should be given priority over people of colour."
~Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, England.

Dear Jennifer,
Being British does not mean only white people.
I've learned today from timesonline (business section) that 45 per cent of Muslims were born here. There are of course blacks, indians, asians, europeans...people from around the world who are born here. I, myself, completely agree with Margaret Hodge's suggestion.

Mohammed, London, UK

Surely we are all missing the point here.

Ms Kelly feels that she can solve world poverty by bringing the world's poor to stay here, in England in free housing and living comfortably on State benefits.

If university students have to pay a fortune for their education why can't immigrants have asylum grants that they pay off when they start working?

We are run by a load of poitically correct politicians with no grasp of the sacrifice and hard work that has gone into making our country such a pleasant place.

alan bond, lancaster, england

There are still council houses left in the UK?

What people here, seemingly have said, is that white people should be given priority over people of colour.

I am fiercely proud, now at least, of being English. This is MY country, and I love it, despite what Blair has done to it.

I also know several people, who come from immigrant families who are also fiercely proud of being English.

Every immigrant I have come to know, demands hard work for themselves and their family, unlike many native-born, white, people I have come across. I believe our fear of immigrants stems from our fear of a colonial backlash.

We sat on our laurels as colonial nations toiled for us, to make our country rich. That richness can now be paid back in respectful hospitality. Media paranoia about immigration and tales of what immigrants can expect here doesn't help, it is all largely untrue. People should understand the situation before jumping on bandwagons.

And a vote for the BNP is a vote for medievalism

Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, England

At last, sanity returns. At the moment its only one MP, but hopefully more will follow suit. Mrs Hodge has, for a couple of years, raised issues whereby the indigenous population are being disadvantaged in favour of ethnic minorities, particularly immigrants (who in the main are economic migrants) who have jumped queues & gained an advantage over long suffering indigenous people. She has highlighted housing, but there are also a number of other areas whereby our indigenous population have been pushed back - namely the health services & welfare/social services. Our indigenous school children are the minority in many schools & although speaking their native language - English - are speaking a minority language & are therefore greatly disadvantaged. Even the school dinners are biased towards the ethnic or religious favour. I expect Mrs Hodge will be pilloried & ridiculed for daring to speak out, but good on her. The housing waiting lists must favour the local citizens before immigrants

Lynda Plum, London, england

Of course British families should be given first priority .
British kindness, respectfulness and favourable policies designed to impress/attract foreigners have gained Britan's reputation as the 'land of milk and honey'. No wonder illegal immigrants are coming in droves.

Mohammed, London, UK

How can the BNP be hopeless, it's only through their efforts that we might achieve better treatment for the indigenous people of these islands. I would say that is a major step forward after years of pandering to minority groups.

Chris Roberts, Grays Essex, England

Just how long has it taken to work this out? Years and years of rejection for housing by those entitled to Council housing as a priority! As a nation we must put our needs, British needs first, then of course we must look after others in real need. Priority must also be removed from single parents, they should need to find accomodation within their family. Highest priority must be given to those families willing to work. Less housing for those layabouts who have social securtity stamps because the are unemployed. Working families must come first!

Ray, newcastle upon tyne, UK

high, its about time some mps saw our side of life without being rasist, we should take prefrence its about time. all these arakies have all got in to england and there given all our housing which some english people have been on a list for up to 2 years waiting for housing, and if they didnt get our money we would have more money too.

mark whiting, stoke on trent, staffordshire

Council houses are for the needy. In the past, once a council house has ben acquired, it has either been bought cheaply or kept in the family even though the financial circumstances may have improved. Immigrants coming to this country should have the means to support thmselves for a fixed period whilst they look for work etc. Council housing should only be for those who actually need it... Immigrants, minorities, single mothers should not be given priority.

Hamad lone, Thornton Heath, England

Yes, british families should be given priority! This is our home and our government, family generations of paying tax. We should have priority our government should be there for us, If not, then why call it britain and us be called british.
I would expect and agree to be a lower priority if i went to live in a foreign country. And i agree, things like this are making people turn to the BNP. Ok BNP are hopeless but id vote for them to make a point, and not because i actually would want them in power.

Daniel, Bham,

I think the government should NOT sell the housing stock allocated for the needy. Also, they should not allow people to use Council Houses when they no longer need them either i.e. a house needed for a large family should be reused as the family shrinks and they should be rehoused into smaller dwellings. The purpose of state housing has always been for the needy. New agreements should be made with this in the entitlement documents. Where is the government with the guts to do this?

P.Doughty-Mortimer, Torquay, UK

Finally!
But too little, too late.
The damage has been done.
"and people needed to be reassured"
No! they needed housing! not to be broomed off into non-existence.

Frank H., London,

please do something for british people job aswell,
please do not divide our nation according to generation aspect. whoever we were we are british and i am proud to be a british.

syed a hussain, burton on trent, uk

Jewish refugees! Do me a favour. Her father , although a refugee, was a multimillionaire steel trader so she hardly speaks from the perspective of an "immigrant"

Michael, London, UK

Whilst I agree with the principle of sorting out our own before helping others, how can you need a place to live more, or less? Surely you either want to live indoors, therefore 'need a place' or choose to live on the street and therefore 'don't need a place'.

Marco, bhm, uk