DAVID CAMERON AND THE RACE FOR BRITAIN

31-01-2007

David Cameron's speech in Birmingham on Monday is continuing to reverberate…not least his comments that Muslim women should have the freedom to study and work. Derrick Campbell, chief executive of Race Equality Sandwell offers a personal view.

How quaint to see the Tory party showing their concern over the well being of the Muslim community and the effect their self-imposed system of governance is having on them.

Yes it is hard to stand by and see people being disadvantaged by their own cultural and religious belief…but isn't this what they wanted...a sectarian Britain? Where black and minority ethnic (BME) groups could do their own thing and forget the rest of society?

Now that the fallacious notion of multi-culturalism has failed, many of those BME's are now not having such a smooth ride, and the politicians are running to their rescue…or am I being unfair?

In my view, multi-culturalism has created a segregated society where groups are funded to allow them to hide behind the veil of ‘my culture' and ‘heritage' and stay in their silos.

I do accept that this is a rich and diverse country and would love to see this continue, but as David Cameron says, we should ensure that shared values are a priority.