I HAVE read with interest the arguments for and against multiculturalism in Hear All Sides over the past few weeks. Pete Winstanley (HAS, May 31) states "multiculturalism means that people of different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds who live here are welcome to practise their own religions and customs so long as they abide by the law and respect the cultural traditions of others, including the majority".

I couldn't agree more, but where the bonding of different communities falls flat is not through the different cultures themselves, but the policies of the "politically correct brigade".

Career opportunities being decided by race, colour and religion rather than a person's ability to fill a post makes a mockery of the Equal Opportunities Commission.

Promoting parades and pageants of minorities while frowning on British nationalism for fear of upsetting minority groups tends to alienate communities rather than bring them together.

If these people were to concentrate their well-meaning efforts on cohesion rather than diversity, multiculturalism may yet be a possibility.

Kev McStravick, Darlington.