Posted on 12/09/2006 12:29:11 AM PST by ScaniaBoy
Tony Blair formally declared Britain's multicultural experiment over yesterday as he told immigrants they had ''a duty" to integrate with the mainstream of society.
In a speech that overturned more than three decades of Labour support for the idea, he set out a series of requirements that were now expected from ethnic minority groups if they wished to call themselves British.
These included "equality of respect" - especially better treatment of women by Muslim men - allegiance to the rule of law and a command of English.
If outsiders wishing to settle in Britain were not prepared to conform to the virtues of tolerance then they should stay away. He added: "Conform to it; or don't come here. We don't want the hate-mongers, whatever their race, religion or creed.
"If you come here lawfully, we welcome you. If you are permitted to stay here permanently, you become an equal member of our community and become one of us. The right to be different. The duty to integrate. That is what being British means."
Mr Blair's volte face - just eight years ago he championed multiculturalism - was the culmination of a long Labour retreat from the cause. In recent weeks, Jack Straw, Ruth Kelly, John Reid and Gordon Brown have all played their part in a concerted revision of the Cabinet's stand which began in earnest after the July 7 suicide bombings in London last year.
Mr Blair, speaking in Downing Street, said the diversity of cultures in Britain should still be celebrated but the tone of his speech was against the ideology that became known as multiculturalism.
"The right to be in a multicultural society was always implicitly balanced by a duty to integrate, to be part of Britain, to be British and Asian, British and black, British and white," he said
The bombings had thrown the whole concept of a multicultural Britain "into sharp relief" and highlighted the divisions in society. While it was right that people should enjoy their own cultures, they should do so under a single set of overarching values.
"When it comes to our essential values, the belief in democracy, the rule of law, tolerance, equal treatment for all, respect for this country and its shared heritage — then that is where we come together, it is what gives us what we hold in common; it is what givesright to call ourselves British," said Mr Blair.
"At that point no distinctive culture or religion supercedes our duty to be part of an integrated United Kingdom."
Good move
Nice to hear Tony talking like this, but it won't make any difference. The islamics in Britain couldn't care less what that country wants.
He has done nothing to stop the flow of illegals
I must agree with that, and it baffles me.
"Blair, and his ilk, are not conservatives, as the article mentions - his cronies are un-reformed Left Wing liberals now trying to save their a$$es and pensions."
I still think it is commentworthy though. Yes, we HAVE got what we deserved, because of (I believe) apathy.
Regards Powell - if he was pilloried in a much less PC age - how do you think someone similiar would be received now?
Please warn me before you do. I have 32 years left in my life expectancy, and I want them all, and more...
Only in the eyes of foreign bigots.
As in "metrosexual?" Eeeeewwww! A man should be proud of his chest and facial hair, even if he doesn't want a mustache or beard. If a woman wants you to shave your chest, she's not right for you!
It shouldn't. Bush has always been a globalist... ummm I mean... internationalist, not a nationalist, just like his father and Gerry Ford.
Hip Hip Hooray
My sentiments as in "America also". Love it or leave it. If you don't want to follow the rules over here there are other places you can go.
And here I always thought it meant to be English. You ever hear of a Swahili German?
It's about fscking time, Tony!
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