THERE is no need for Blackburn's Muslims to develop a persecution complex over arranged marriages.

The Tory plans to tighten up on bringing in marriage partners from abroad are not an anti-Muslim measure.

It is meant as an anti-immigration measure because we have too many people coming in each year and our infrastructure cannot cope.

This plan could actually be a great help to young Muslims as it would encourage their community to find marriage partners from among the educated and intelligent English-speaking Muslim youth of our country.

With both partners in a marriage able to play a full part in society, such couples could be more open and successful.

Children born into such families would be likely to speak better English, do well at school, and possibly be even more successful than their parents.

Taken over the long term this approach could accelerate the rate of progress towards the levels of community cohesion and, eventually, integration that we are all working for.

BRIAN GORDON, Councillor, Meadowhead Ward.