"I JOINED the expressions of sympathy to the families and friends of those who lost lives and those who were injured by the London bombings on July 7.

There are times for all political parties to pull together, and politicians from across the House of Commons immediately supported the Government in what it said about the authories' determination to defend and to protect our way of life. The country remains united in its resolve to defeat and to deal with those responsible for inciting and carrying out such appalling acts of terrorism.

We live in times of tremendous change but the United Kingdom is still, thankfully, a predominantly white, Christian country. Some might say we are now simply paying the price for the so-called 'benefits' of the multi-cultural society we keep hearing about, the product of almost uncontrolled immigration and the abuse of asylum.

We have since heard and read about a young woman holding a baby when she was shot and killed in South London. Welcome to Mr Tony Blair's banana republic. This is the place where crime is out of control, anti-social behaviour runs unchecked with the perpetrators laughing at ineffective ASBOs and where thousands of illegal immigrants are waved into the United Kingdom with no checks on whether they are criminals or potential terrorists.

Before disappearing on his month's holiday away from bombed London, the Prime Minister gave a speech about getting tough on terrorism. It fooled no-one. In his banana republic called Britain, we have been as weak on terrorism and terrorists as he is on crime and criminals.

Understandable outrage has been expressed about the reluctance of the authorities to combat the blatant agitiation by Muslim extremists in this country - we have now played a high price for this inactivity and I understand those people who now say all they hear is the sound of the stable-door being shut after the horse has well and truly bolted!

The central role of community spirit, selflessness and Christianity in our national life and in the lives of people individually has changed profoundly since the Second World War. However, we acknowledge the commitment and sacrifices of those servicemen and women currently posted in hostile situations in Iraq and elsewhere. And we have all to be thankful and full of admiration for the heroic work of London's emergency services in the wake of July 7's tragic events.

Sadly, the quiet, unshakeable love of country that motivated the men and women who made VE Day and VJ Day a reality 60 years ago has all but withered. The Young have mostly been brought up to despise such feelings as 'jingoism' and 'nationalism'. Many young people growing up today are largely condemned to a trivial, empty, brutish existence by a modern, materialistic and atheistic culture in which there is little or no sense of duty and service, least of all to society and the Nation.

Why, with so many apparent opportunities and choice do so many people feel inadequate, powerless, dissatisfied and disenchanted with their lives? Why, remembering the fallen who sought to deliver Victory in Europe and Japan all those years ago, do we feel less and less need to cherish the values that result from that terrible but magnificent sacrifice? And did the British people win two World Wars in order only to be bombed and terrorised from the streets of London in 2005?"

The opinions expressed in this column are personal to the writer and readers can air their views by writing to Readers' Letters, The Congleton Guardian, 21a West Street, Congleton CW12 1JN or email iross@guardiangrp.co.uk