Blair defends tolerance, conformity and equality

The Prime Minister, today, in a major speech delivered in Downing Street has called on those entering the UK to be tolerant and to conform to British standards.

But Mr Blair cautioned that this "open" attitude would be protected and would be defended.

He said: "Our tolerance is part of what makes Britain, Britain. So 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."

In a surprising turnaround on multiculturalism the Prime Minister, said in his speech: "A multicultural Britain was never supposed to be a celebration of division; but of diversity."

He said: "We like our diversity. But how do we react when that "difference" leads to separation and alienation from the values that define what we hold in common? For the first time in a generation there is an unease, an anxiety, even at points a resentment that our very openness, our willingness to welcome difference, our pride in being home to many cultures, is being used against us; abused, indeed, in order to harm us."

Mr Blair said that those permitted to stay in the UK permanently became "an equal member of our community and become one of us."

Returning to his theme of defending tolerance, Mr Blair said: "The right to be different. The duty to integrate. That is what being British means. And neither racists nor extremists should be allowed to destroy it."

However, the speech has received a mixed reaction in Muslim circles, as he touched on women's rights within the Muslim community.

In his speech Mr Blair said: "One of the most common concerns that has been raised with me, when meeting women from the Muslim communities, is their frustration at being debarred even from entering certain mosques.

"Those that exclude the voice of women need to look again at their practices. I am not suggesting altering the law. But we have asked the Equal Opportunities Commission to produce a report by the spring of next year on how these concerns could be practically addressed, whilst of course recognising that in many religions the treatment of women differs from that of men."

(SP/KMcA)