I Hear there is debate in York about whether it should become “a city of sanctuary”.

I suggest a referendum be held to decide the wishes of council taxpayers who would be required to support these people.

It may be that residents would be delighted to have schools where more than 100 languages are spoken, to have hospitals even more stretched and not mind that the housing shortage would be come even more acute.

I live about four miles from Tottenham where the riots started, a perfect example of the multi-cultural society.

After years of Labour’s Haringey Council offering sanctuary, this borough is split down the middle. The ethnic minorities dominate the east, the indigenous population, including all the prominent politicians, live in the west. Julian Cole (Column, October 6) would send his child to a private school, I’m sure, if he was faced with the choice of a school in Tottenham.

There are ghettos all over London – sorry to upset the liberal elite in York, but it is true. Multiculturalism is not the acceptance of charming foreign students or Asians who have integrated into society or genuine asylum seekers.

It has turned out very differently; come and see!

Carole Tucker, Hillside Gardens, Highgate, London.