Sir – Re your request on opinions of Barack Obama: I have never been a great fan of either America or Americans. I worked for the US Forces for nearly nine years in Germany in the 70s and 80s. I met many lovely Americans, but if I have to generalise,

Sir - Re your request on opinions of Barack Obama:

I have never been a great fan of either America or Americans. I worked for the US Forces for nearly nine years in Germany in the 70s and 80s. I met many lovely Americans, but if I have to generalise, forget them.

As for George W. Bush, an absolute clown - memory.

BUT, I am now excited!! Barack!

Do I think his election will change things in the UK? I hope so. I am a local borough and town councillor - totally mainstream - white, Labour Party, 64 years old.

BUT, on neither council do we have an ethnic minority councillor and we should because I believe these people are not truly represented. I will not be political - if they make representations, the political parties will represent them, some parties with more enthusiasm than others, but that is not the answer.

I would truly love to see our ethnic citizens becoming more involved in the democratic process of both local and national government.

Good luck, Barack. You're going to need it, but, you'll get there.

Cllr Mike Alder,

Hatfield Central Ward.

SIR - I think I must have seen a different US presidential election than Mr Wilder of Stonehills (WHT, November 19).

I don't see how anybody could not have been stunned by the massive African/American/Hispanic and ethnic vote harnessed by Obama.

This was apart from the young and the liberal that he refers to.

Obama's ability to identify with the vast swathes of the American electorate, many who had never voted before, has resulted in the historic election of the first ever African American president

These were not people who simply voted for the other side, but instead, millions of people who now felt included in the election process of their own country.

Many thousands of inspired people waited hours to exercise their democratic right to vote.

My brother who teaches in Atlanta, Georgia told me of spontaneous dancing, the morning after, on the tables at his school.

For so long we have suffered an administration peddling hatred and imperial rule, now there is a real hope that this unique coming together of so many peoples will help unite a world fractured by racism and abuse of power.

To draw comparisons between JFK and Obama are pointless and to do so detracts from the real message this historic victory sends.

The world of the Iron Curtain with one singular enemy has gone, today's world is far different.

Nowadays, the threat to our democracies are far more likely to be unilateral and come in many forms from any number of areas or regions.

A new US administration committed, elected and built on ethnic diversity that truly reflects its population will hopefully provide a more compassionate platform for foreign policy.

Chris Whitelegg.