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Conform to our society, says PM Conform to our society, says PM
(30 minutes later)
People entering the UK must be prepared to be tolerant or not become part of British society, Tony Blair has said.People entering the UK must be prepared to be tolerant or not become part of British society, Tony Blair has said.
In a speech at Downing Street, Mr Blair said that tolerance was "what makes Britain, Britain" and warned "we must be ready to defend this attitude".In a speech at Downing Street, Mr Blair said that tolerance was "what makes Britain, Britain" and warned "we must be ready to defend this attitude".
The prime minister said: "So conform to it; or don't come here. We don't want the hate-mongers, whatever their race, religion or creed."The prime minister said: "So conform to it; or don't come here. We don't want the hate-mongers, whatever their race, religion or creed."
He also defended multiculturalism, saying it should be celebrated.He also defended multiculturalism, saying it should be celebrated.
The lecture comes a year after Mr Blair said he never quite knew what people meant by multiculturalism.The lecture comes a year after Mr Blair said he never quite knew what people meant by multiculturalism.
'Demonstrate integration''Demonstrate integration'
Last year, Commission for Racial Equality chairman Trevor Phillips caused controversy by suggesting that multiculturalism may now be outdated.Last year, Commission for Racial Equality chairman Trevor Phillips caused controversy by suggesting that multiculturalism may now be outdated.
The right to be different. The duty to integrate. That is what being British means Tony BlairThe right to be different. The duty to integrate. That is what being British means Tony Blair
He also warned that Britain could be "sleep-walking" towards US-style ethnic segregation because of a failure to address differences and create common values.He also warned that Britain could be "sleep-walking" towards US-style ethnic segregation because of a failure to address differences and create common values.
Mr Blair said: "It is not that we need to dispense with multicultural Britain.Mr Blair said: "It is not that we need to dispense with multicultural Britain.
"On the contrary, we should continue celebrating it.""On the contrary, we should continue celebrating it."
The prime minister said there was a "duty" to integrate, while celebrating those differences.The prime minister said there was a "duty" to integrate, while celebrating those differences.
In the speech, Mr Blair also announced a crackdown on funding for religious and racial groups, saying in the future they would have to prove they aimed to promote community integration.In the speech, Mr Blair also announced a crackdown on funding for religious and racial groups, saying in the future they would have to prove they aimed to promote community integration.
IdentityIdentity
It was important to "demonstrate and underline what is meant by integration in modern Britain", he said.It was important to "demonstrate and underline what is meant by integration in modern Britain", he said.
"The right to be in a multi-cultural 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." HAVE YOUR SAY Multiculturalism makes our country more diverse, but does it actually make it any better? Jamie Vaide, London href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4922&edition=2&ttl=20061208083422" class="">Send us your comments "The right to be in a multi-cultural 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."
Mr Blair emphasised this was not about rejecting values within a multicultural Britain, nor diluting identity or religion.Mr Blair emphasised this was not about rejecting values within a multicultural Britain, nor diluting identity or religion.
However, he called for Britain "to re-assert the duty to integrate, to stress what we hold in common and to say: these are the shared boundaries within which we all are obliged to live, precisely in order to preserve our right to our own different faiths, races and creeds".However, he called for Britain "to re-assert the duty to integrate, to stress what we hold in common and to say: these are the shared boundaries within which we all are obliged to live, precisely in order to preserve our right to our own different faiths, races and creeds".
The suicide bombings in London on July 7 last year had thrown the whole concept of a multicultural Britain "into sharp relief", the prime minister said.The suicide bombings in London on July 7 last year had thrown the whole concept of a multicultural Britain "into sharp relief", the prime minister said.
'Distinctive culture''Distinctive culture'
He insisted it was an idea that should still be celebrated but said it went hand in hand with a "duty" to share "essential values".He insisted it was an idea that should still be celebrated but said it went hand in hand with a "duty" to share "essential values".
"When it comes to our essential values - 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 we hold in common."When it comes to our essential values - 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 we hold in common.
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 Tony BlairIf 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 Tony Blair
The prime minister said Britain was "better placed than most" to have a sensible debate on the issue.The prime minister said Britain was "better placed than most" to have a sensible debate on the issue.
But it had to be prepared to stand up and fight for the tolerance which was its hallmark, he added.But it had to be prepared to stand up and fight for the tolerance which was its hallmark, he added.
"We are a nation comfortable with the open world of today," he said."We are a nation comfortable with the open world of today," he said.
"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."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.
"Then you, and all of us, who want to, can worship God in our own way, take pride in our different cultures after our own fashion, respect our distinctive histories according to our own traditions; but do so within a shared space of shared values in which we take no less pride and show no less respect."Then you, and all of us, who want to, can worship God in our own way, take pride in our different cultures after our own fashion, respect our distinctive histories according to our own traditions; but do so within a shared space of shared values in which we take no less pride and show no less respect.
"The right to be different. The duty to integrate. That is what being British means."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.""And neither racists nor extremists should be allowed to destroy it."
Mr Blair praised Tory leader David Cameron, saying it was "not conceivable in my view" that he would seek to exploit immigration to win votes.Mr Blair praised Tory leader David Cameron, saying it was "not conceivable in my view" that he would seek to exploit immigration to win votes.
"That is both a tribute to him and to the common culture of tolerance we have established in this country today.""That is both a tribute to him and to the common culture of tolerance we have established in this country today."