http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12372629
In this video Cameron describes how allowing every religion to be practiced leads to the segregation of a few who may turn to extremism. His speech was called 'patronising' by some religious groups but it reminded me of some philosophical speeches of the late 19th century where people weren't afraid of voicing their opinions on issues of the day.
Multiculturalism has been left to happen. The government let it birth into the country half a century ago and the ensuing tensions have not satisfyingly been address due to the possibility of offending people's religions. Avoiding these critical issues that multiculturalism has brought to the modern state may indeed lead to extremism. Like all regimes it is healthy (and in my opinion vital) to consider the social implications of its own existence. Of course it is fantastic that our country accepts all religions, faiths and socio-ethnic backgrounds but to my knowledge there hasn't been a man in Cameron's position who has questioned this acceptance. He doesn't want to deny liberties but instead renew a somewhat lost national identity, to strengthen the feeling of belonging to a single nation but without imposing rules on varying faiths.
British identity has been in crisis for half a century, if one calls himself 'English' he is branded right-wing, if he is 'British' he could be of any background living in the UK. I call myself British, though my mother was born in Jamaica, my father in London, I was born in France...
The difficulties arise when your nationality differs dramatically from the mainstream, and Cameron is right to voice the fear that this may be the cause of extremism on the borders of British society.
