This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6219626.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Conform to our society, says PM Conform to our society, says PM
(40 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.
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
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."
Duty to integrateDuty to integrate
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.
Commenting on the speech Liberal Democrat communities spokesman Andrew Stunell said: "We must ensure that the voices of moderation have their say, but support for organisations must not be distorted by government driven targets or Tony Blair's personal agenda." Commenting on the speech Liberal Democrat communities, spokesman Andrew Stunell said: "We must ensure that the voices of moderation have their say, but support for organisations must not be distorted by government driven targets or Tony Blair's personal agenda."
It was important to demonstrate what integration meant, Mr Blair said.It was important to demonstrate what integration meant, Mr Blair said.
HAVE YOUR SAY Multiculturalism makes our country more diverse, but does it actually make it any better? Jamie Vaide, London Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Multiculturalism makes our country more diverse, but does it actually make it any better? Jamie Vaide, London 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.""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, 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".
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.
The prime minister put the speech in the context of Muslim extremism, associated with "a minority of our Muslim community".
He said there was optimism that people could be integrated despite different cultures.
And he said the Equal Opportunities Commission would be looking at concerns about women's status inside Muslim communities.
'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.
"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.
"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."