TOWN councillors have pledged to “reassure all people living in Stroud that they are valued members of the community.”

Do they really mean it?

Mayor Kevin Cranston says it is “important for people … to feel safe and welcomed.”

This is the same man (elected to represent all residents) who, in the Guardian newspaper, described Ukip voters as ‘racist bigots’, thereby revealing his own bigotry.

Apparently some people have approached councillors to say they are “cautious about what they should say in public.”

I am not surprised.

I know several Stroud residents who voted to leave the EU but are afraid to admit it for fear of bile and intolerance.

The window of the Rasmachaz shop currently displays a t-shirt bearing the slogan ‘CHOOSE LOVE’, the implication being that to disagree with their extreme ‘no borders’ agenda is to ‘choose hate’.

Thus, the incident you reported where two men voiced an unfashionable opinion (not welcoming refugees) was branded ‘racist abuse’.

They were deemed guilty of incorrect thought and therefore of hate crime.

No group can claim to speak for the whole town; they speak only for themselves and should remember that no-one has a monopoly on compassion and goodness.

Could we please try to foster an atmosphere in which all really do feel welcome, regardless of belief, and where discussion and reasoned debate is not impossible.

Oliver Jelf

Stroud