The editorial on the Commision for Racial Equality's race pledge is nave (Argus, April 24).

If the sole aim of the CRE is to improve race relations, it has failed abysmally.

It's the CRE which is responsible for causing the present fuss by publishing the names of the MPs who had the good sense not to be blackmailed by this increasingly irrelevant, smug, sanctimonious and pointless organisation.

And if The Argus truly believes the CRE and the Labour Party are not entwined politically, it should dismiss its political editor and employ someone who is in touch with the real world.

Whether politicians and the media like it or not, race is as legitimate a subject as any other.

Some in this country would like to stifle debate on subjects such as this, with the misguided view it will improve race relations.

So I hope, in the run-up to the forthcoming election, The Argus will give as much space to those with opposing views on this and other sensitive subjects. If you stifle debate, the biggest casualty is democracy.

-D A Coles, derek@coles60.freeserve.co.uk