Shielded from care in Kensington

So our dear Prime Minister David Cameron has bit the bullet on the controversial issue of multiculturalism, calling it a failure that has had disastrous results.  He said  it was forcing people to live separate lives, apart from each other and apart from the mainstream.  In the  public services, it meant all information had to be translated into numerous languages to cater for numerous people who go about their daily lives without ever having to learn English.

Speaking about forced marriages, Cameron said that in Bradford, schoolgirls under the age of sixteen have simply disappeared from school. Nobody knows where they are; and with little investigation – despite the fact that it is likely that they may have been drugged, imprisoned, kidnapped and forced into an unwanted marriage on the other side of the world.

Sorry. One moment.  Just paying for a pint here .....

He said the threat of terrorism must be confronted by taking on the ideology of Islamist extremism at home.  He also cautioned that a clear distinction must be made between the religion of Islam and the political ideology of Islamist extremism.

Well, I am thinking  -  this is going to get a fairly strong reaction.  That last point, of course, is very valid.  The distinction must be made between the religion and the extremist elements within Islam who want to send suicide bomber out into UK cities to kill innocent people.  Much  the same, I suppose, as we would draw a distinction between the Roman Catholic church and the Church of England,  and extreme elements within these churches who would  similarly want to send suicide bombers out to blow themselves up and kill innocent people here in the UK.  Except, of course, neither the Catholics nor the Protestants have shown any interest up to now in fostering a belief among their followers that they should  'go forth, and detonate.'

Actually, should we draw another distinction there.  You know, the fact that no other church in Britain except Islam has amongst its adherents mad religious fanatics who cheer on suicide bombers in their pursuit of martyrdom,  who want to kill themselves and whoever is around them within the defined context of efficient public transport.

Is there a difference there?  Enough to make a distinction between Islam and other religions? Actually, I hadn't thought of this question before now. 

While I'm trying to figure it out, one other thought crosses my mind on the issue of multiculturalism. One point of controversy that keeps raising its head at periodic intervals is the question of the burqa.  France and Belgium have instituted bans against the wearing of the burqa in public, and similar moves are afoot in other countries.

Here in Britain, I think the general feeling is one of accommodating differences.  Do we really want government intervention into every small aspect of our lives?

Sorry again.  No .... you have to go outside to smoke.  Yes, just outside the door.  They changed the law quite some time back.  (I thought everybody knew this by now, even our tourists).

As I was saying, do we need it  -  government intervention, or government interference as some would call it into the petty affairs of everyday life. If I go into a government office and get to talk to an official who happens to be wearing a black bag over his head, is that going to raise my hackles. Not on your life.  It's his choice. His point of view (if he is able to see out of it).  And anyway, I don't mind talking to an old bag  --  I've been talking to one at home for years.

Many Muslim women in Britain will say that they should have the freedom to choose what they wear.  Women who are converts to Islam are particularly vociferous.  They will assert that it is up to women themselves to decide as a right on their own attire without being dictated to by the state.  These Muslim women, I am sure, would be the first to speak out and  defend the right of western women to choose what they would wear if they were visiting Saudi Arabia or Iran.  Yep.  Short tops, low-rise jeans, uncovered heads and midriff exposure.  Maybe even some navel piercing. The Muslim states may object, but isn't it good to know that there are Muslim women here in the UK who would speak out loudly for the rights of western women to choose what they would want to wear.  You see.  It works both ways.

Well, what does any of this matter? I suppose not for me at the moment.  I am cosseted here in the comfort of the bar in the Regency Hotel in South Kensington.  Iraq had the human shield.  The US had the missile shield.  I on the other hand feel safe behind my shield of robust beer glasses  -  a veritable bulwark against the cares and troubles of the world.  Reality is firmly repulsed on one side, and rational thinking reduced on the other.

In which case,  I will contentedly leave the awkward issues surrounding multiculturalism for David Cameron to sort out.   He will be the one to lead us out from under the darkness of the burqa, and a fascinating spectrum of related multicultural problems, to the light of a new unicultural Britain.  I am at one with that.

Nearby -
A nice pub: Duke of Clarence, 148 Old Brompton Road, London, SW5 0BE
A good restaurant: Maggie Jones's, 6 Old Court Place, London W8 4PL
A quality hotel: The Milestone Hotel, 1 Kensington Court, W8 5DL
Underground: South Kensington