David Cameron has used a security conference in Munich today to criticise “state multiculturalism” and signal a tougher stance on those groups deemed to be promoting Islamic extremism:
So let’s properly judge these (Islamic) organisations:
Do they believe in universal human rights – including for women and people of other faiths?
Do they believe in equality of all before the law?
Do they believe in democracy and the right of people to elect their own government?
Do they encourage integration or separatism?
These are the sorts of questions we need to ask.
Fail these tests and the presumption should be not to engage with organisations.
More pertinently, they won’t be getting any more public funding.
I must admit the thought did cross my mind that if the same criteria were to be also employed in our part of the United Kingdom, HMG would save itself not only a bundle of cash but Owen Paterson’s busy diary would also be cleared at a stroke.
But not to worry, our <del>extremists</del> community representatives aren’t Islamic, so that governmental money and indulgence should keep on flowing.
Cameron’s full speech may be read here.
A UK Unionist and also confirmed devo-sceptic.
I believe the creation of devolved “governments” in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, along with the corresponding unsolved “English Question”, has weakened that Union.
The present-day Conservative Party would be the national party which would come closest to representing my political beliefs. I have previously belonged to the “Friends of the Conservatives” and the UUP but am no longer connected with either party.
Outside of my Unionism, I consider myself as an economic libertarian, social liberal and secularist- e’g. am pro-choice, anti-schools segregated on the grounds of (parents’) religious beliefs.
Very suspicious of NI’s Human Rights’ Oligarchy (in particular the NIHRC) and hope to be writing on this topic, as well as wider UK and European political issues.
