It really annoys me when politicians come out with rubbish like this because thy're doing nothing but causing trouble for BME groups and projecting a view which does not reflect the view of those groups which she claims are isolated.

I have no problem with the Proms, infact as a British Asian person I think it should be maintained. It's part of the culture and heritage of this country and it should be held in respect and appreciated. There are many other choices out there for people who don't enjoy classical music.

Also, I'm under the impression that Margaret Hodge said that the Proms should be more diverse in the music it plays so that people from non-white backgrounds can enjoy it. I find this quite insulting because it seems that she is implying that all non-white people have a lack of appreciation for classical music.

Runa Rahman, London,

Absolutely not, its a wonderful spectacle that inspires pride in our heritage and should not be mucked arround with just to be politicaly correct.

Debbie Towns, Essex, UK

How many people and what people do not feel confortable attending the Proms? - for the love of all things sane and not drenched in politicial correctness can we ask the Culture Minister to focus on the job at hand before Great Britain has no culture or identity left and becomes the mongrel of Europe.

Colin, Dubai,

NO !!

simple as that.

Hubble, Evian, France

Oh for heaven's sake. Each countries has it's own culture, its own music, literature etc. Britain is perhaps the most multi-cultural country in the world (a legacy from our colonising) and we do make privisions for these other cultures, but please, leave the Proms alone. I only wish I could afford to go to one.

thalassa, france,

If I remember rightly, the Promenade Concerts are a commercial undertaking. They make money.
As far as I am aware, the UK is still a market economy, which means that a promotor can put on any programme of music that he or she thinks will attract ticket buyers.
This would suggest that the elected government should keep its opinions to itself and butt out of the argument.

'Arry Antisocial, London, UK

The proms are Classical Music Concerts - leave them alone. Do us classical music buffs tell those at Rock Festivals that they should include a bit of Handel or Bach?

Dominic, Teddington, UK,

Margaret Hodge and all others members of the Labour, or 'foot in the mouth' party, should watch what they say because they are certainly not making people feel any better about this country or it's heritage. They are constantly attempting to browbeat people into accepting the unacceptable. Stop trying to foist your strange convoluted views on us and leave us alone. The English want to remain English and we have a RIGHT to be proud of our country, it's history and its heritage and a Government has no mandate from the English voter to demand anything else. It's time to say 'go to hell' to those who want to, and are going hell for leather to divide this country. Their constant drive for unnecessary change is putting the country in danger of revolt and their constant petulant comments are just plain irresponsible.

judy, Liverpool, England

The article does not state whether or not the comments are in relation to the last night or the whole season.

The last night is simply a celebration of the entire event and should be seen as such, nothing more. A British musical festival which reaches its climax - with some 45 minutes of singing and audience participation.

If people do not like the event itself, or the last night simply do not go,. The politctians should stay out of classical music, so should the question of multiculturalism.

The proms invite orchestras from all over the world, have a reputation for promoting living composers and is simply one of the best musical events in the entire world..

Paul Langham, Brussels, Belgium

Don't be so damned silly - English, Scottish and Welsh cultures should be respected and left alone to their own devices - the whole inclusiveness agenda is wrong, and those who pedal it only apply it to the indigenous customs and traditions of the British Isles, never to the people recently known as foreigners who have been allowed to come and live here.

Andrew J Iddon, London, UK

The Proms are nothing to do with HM Government and they should keep their big noses out.

Frank Upton, Solihull,

Another case of foot in mouth by Labour's joined up government.

Try engaging brain before opening mouth.

Next election can't come a day to soon.

Geoff C, Cambridge, UK

Well done Hodge, maybe we should stop talking English and rename a new langauge 'British' with aspects from all nationalities in the island along the Grenwich meridian. Gutema'abonee! Or some form of new greeting if you don't happen to know germandarabicfrench. Idiots in charge of the country? Well I never. If you have nothing good to say, in whatever language,....

Alistair Kipling, Birmingham,