I would like to add my observations, as an Englishman now living in Malta, to the public debate on immigration.

If you need to look to the future look no further than the UK. The level of irregular immigration is out of control, all our traditions and values are constantly under threat, religious beliefs are questioned, political beliefs ridiculed.

For many years, immigrants were welcomed. When the Asian community was expelled from Uganda many came to the UK. They were mostly welcomed and in a short time integrated into society but still kept their own identity and became friends and colleagues.

However, more and more groups, some home-grown but sadly influenced by newcomers, are determined to force their ideals onto the country and will not try to integrate. This is when fear and intolerance rears its head.

This is a basic human emotion and no amount of rhetoric by the usual suspects will remove it.

The main problem is that governments throughout the world have no interest in solving the problem unless it directly affects them. Until international pressure is applied, no solution will be found.

While it is good to see many organisations and individuals speaking in support of immigrants, one wonders how many of them will take action and welcome them into their own towns and villages. Or would they be only too pleased when the immigrants are passed down to the usual areas?

I applaud the Prime Minister for his comments.

It sometimes takes a sledgehammer to crack a nut and in my experience over many years involved in local politics and the trade union movement in the UK, there are many nuts that need cracking to have progress.