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| Conform to our society, says PM | Conform to our society, says PM |
| (20 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 Blair | The 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." |
| Conservative spokesman for community cohesion Dominic Grieve said the speech was a "remarkable turnaround". | |
| "Many of the problems in relation to the issues he addresses are at least in part the consequence of a philosophy of divisive multiculturalism and political correctness that has been actively promoted by the Labour Party over many years at both national and local government levels." | |
| Duty to integrate | Duty 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." | |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Multiculturalism makes our country more diverse, but does it actually make it any better? Jamie Vaide, London Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY Multiculturalism makes our country more diverse, but does it actually make it any better? Jamie Vaide, London Send us your comments |
| It was important to demonstrate what integration meant, Mr Blair 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." | "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 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". | 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. | 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. | And he said the Equal Opportunities Commission would be looking at concerns about women's status inside Muslim communities. |
| A spokesman for the Muslim Association of Britain said Mr Blair's speech was "concerning and alarming". | |
| He said Mr Blair should be "investing in our society" to help the deprived, rather than investing "millions and billions in illegal occupations" which had "not helped to promote multiculturalism in this country". | He said Mr Blair should be "investing in our society" to help the deprived, rather than investing "millions and billions in illegal occupations" which had "not helped to promote multiculturalism in this country". |
| "Rather than standing up and lecturing us, it's time he puts his money where his mouth is," he said. | "Rather than standing up and lecturing us, it's time he puts his money where his mouth is," he said. |
| 'Distinctive culture' | 'Distinctive culture' |
| Mr Blair insisted multiculturalism 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 Blair | 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 Blair |
| 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. | |
| "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. |