IN A recent speech to the Royal Society of Arts home secretary Alan Johnson expressed the opinion that successive governments have been maladroit in handling immigration, and added that the moderate majority had not had its voice heard. As this apparent

IN A recent speech to the Royal Society of Arts home secretary Alan Johnson expressed the opinion that successive governments have been maladroit in handling immigration, and added that the 'moderate majority' had not had its voice heard.

As this apparent 'volte-face' from an erstwhile proponent of mass immigration coincides with a �12 million handout to assist areas, such as those in Barking and Dagenham, which are most affected by these 'maladroit' policies, it could be construed that our ruling elite has finally acceded to the wishes of the electorate.

Sadly experience decrees that the government may merely be engaging in a spot of window dressing as a general election approaches.

Unfortunately this 'moderate majority; has fast become a silent majority, for fear of being labelled as 'alarmist', 'racist' or worse, and these very people are the ones that must live with the consequences of this maladroit open door immigration policy.

Alan Johnson also conceded that immigration has put pressure on local amenities, such as hospitals.

If so then why is the accident and emergency unit at King George's Hospital under threat of closure? If the government has money to spare this should be the priority, rather than being used as a pre-election bribe in wards where the ruling party feels at risk.

Trevor Wade

Woodbridge Road, Barking