if you ban burkas, why not ban tinted windows on vehicles and dark glasses? why not balaclavas?

I think in some circumstances they should, Paul. I cannot enter my bank wearing my motorcycle crash helmet becuae they need images of me for security reasons. I cannot go in certain shopping centres wuth the hood up on Folk againt Fascism hoodie for the same reason. The veil, as has been pointed out, is not required for religious reasons so why should it be exempt for security purposes? In all othe cases though, I agree with you. There is no reason to ban it from public places just because people do not like it.

There are some very good reasons for it as well. As one female Moslem comedian (is it Shazia Mirza?) points out - It means whole families can share a bus pass:-)

Cheers

DeG