AT the last Blackburn with Darwen Council meeting I voted in support of Councillor Johnson and against the Labour group's censure motion.
I did so because, having read the article involved, I could see nothing racist in it. His point was not that immigrants were of the wrong race, only that there were too many of them resulting in strains upon health, schools and jobs.
Where Coun Johnson went wrong was in not phrasing his words and opinions carefully enough. He should be aware by now that, since the almost total abolition of free speech in this country, the only person who can speak out without receiving a torrent of abuse is Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Race and Equality Commission.
The motion of no confidence was a blatant attempt by the Labour group to force a split in the coalition and should have been resisted by everyone.
COUNCILLOR BRIAN GORDON, Meadowhead Ward, Blackburn
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