posted December 11, 2006 02:19 PM            

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.

Tony Blair yesterday: 'We don't want the hate-mongers'

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."

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.

posted December 11, 2006 05:54 PM            

Neptune,

I don't think it is a matter of not wanting integration. But when you dilute something to the point where everything is fractionated, you have a weak system. We are first and foremost AMERICAN's. Being a minority I understand the desire to never give up traditions, yet why can't we adhere to specific rules and regulations.

When people hold on and refuse to integrate they end up being isolationists. They have their own group that others are banned from understanding. To further complicate things they flaunt their flags, their traditions and tell mainstream America to go pound sand. Not learning English causes even more problems.

Our society flourishes because people assimilate and integrate. Without that we end up with a society that is pulling into too many directions.

I see it all the time living here 5 miles from the Mexican border. It is false to think that people coming over just want to work hard and be apart of our Country. They curse us as they use their WIC funds (we have more PO boxes for "collections" that people living in AP or Naco.) but they still come over here to shop with our tax dollars.

That is how resentment breeds. It isn't as simple as someone just hating me for being Hispanic and not wanting to give up my traditions.

posted December 11, 2006 07:08 PM              

quote:

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in my heart I believe in the race of humanity--neptune5

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posted December 11, 2006 07:09 PM            

You made alot of sense - cool

Okay... I'm out..... gotta finish a few things and then head home.