PM's multiculturalism speech "divisive and dangerous"

Politicians, artists, academics, trade unionists and religious figures have strongly disputed UK Prime Minister David Cameron's declaration that multiculturalism has failed in Britain.

They accuse him of divisive and simplistic politics, treating Muslims as "the enemy within" and turning the clock back "to the days when it was acceptable, through ignorance and fear, for people with a different religion, culture or skin colour to be scapegoated and treated as inferior or outsiders."

Signatories of an open letter that appeared in the Guardian newspaper earlier this week say that while the government may have failed in the way that is has engaged, or not succeeded in engaging, with particular communities, this is quite different from suggesting that the intention and practice of seeking to build a rich patchwork of interacting cultures is wrong or damaging.

Simon Barrow, co-director of the Christian think-tank Ekklesia, which explores issues of religion and belief in a mixed society, and another signatory, added: "The Prime Minister's comments about 'multiculturalism' are confused and confusing. There is no singular British culture. The fabric of common identity and a shared ethos for living together is created by giving people a real stake in society and the economy, by building cultural bridges not political barriers, and by seeking to strengthen communities at all levels through drawing on the strengths of our different traditions -- while simultaneously calling each other to account (politically, culturally, socially and religiously) for our weaknesses and abuses of power. Scapegoating particular groups is part of the problem when it comes to social disaffection and the small number of people drawn to violent extremism. It is not the solution".

Download a leaflet for the central London rally on Wednesday 9 March to say no to David Cameron’s attack on multiculturalism.

The rally is hosted by UAF and One Society Many Cultures.