Immigration not root LOCAL democracy is rarely so lively as at Tuesday's meeting of Cumberland Council in Carlisle, where various people gathered to support or contest (and ultimately defeat) a motion that sought to derail Cumberland's path towards becoming a 'Council of Sanctuary'. The motion's supporters, Cumbria Action, expressed some of the fears and anxiety that underpin their mission: "This is our city, and it's time we took it back." They were somewhat outnumbered by people representing a kinder, more inclusive Cumbria. The common ground, I suppose, was anxiety.

There is much to be anxious about. The cost of living, the state of our public services, rising socio-eco-nomic inequalities, and existential threats including climate change, pandemic, another world war. Are immigrants to blame for all this? - don't think so. There are more likely suspects. It is private equity interests, hedge funds and investments banks that are bleeding us dry, ripping the heart out of our public services. It is their billionaire clients who are corrupting our politics, funding the toxic media and messaging that is designed to divide and distract us, increase our anxieties and trick us into believing that immigration is the problem. One frightening night last September a member of my family received urgent life-saving care at the Cumberland Infirmary. Of the nurses and doctors who provided RARE SIGHT: Shirley Stewart, of Sockbridge, took this photo d near Eamont Bridge. She noted it was a rare sight to see no ti care with skill, compassion, and good humour, almost all happened to be black or brown. And, by their accents, I'd guess, perhaps not born here in the UK. The next morning, as we drove home along Castle Way that was tes-tooned with Union Flags, emblems now hijacked by people who spread fear and disinformation, I wondered how it must be for those doctors and nurses and their families to live and work in these parts, in these times, ready and willing to care for us all here in Cumbria. CLARE SAMBROOK