More needs to be done to help integrate immigrants in the UK – there is a parallel with the Northern European ‘colonials’ in Spain, where I now live.
Some years ago the UK opted for ‘multi-culturalism’ – it was thought to be a good idea to help immigrants retain their ‘culture’. But this was at the cost of reducing the drive to help them integrate. When immigration was in low numbers maybe this was OK, but this is no longer the case.
It now feels that we are in a situation where many immigrants are not ‘integrating’.
As a nation, we need everyone living here to share our values, the commitment to democracy, religious tolerance, equality for women. A unified nation, where all residents would commit to fight to defend the nation.
Those quick off the mark will note that more needs to be done to get our ‘original’ nationals signed up to these values.
However, focussing on immigrants, we need them to learn our language (men and women alike). They need to learn about our culture and history. They need to be informed of our values, and sign up to them. They need to commit to volonteer to fight for our country if need be.
You will be noting there is a paralllel with those choosing to live in Spain, speak the language, be willing to volonteer to fight for Spain. No country needs people who are not aligned to the country’s values.
More negatively, the UK should make it clear what is not acceptable. Treating women as second class (and all religions need to be challenged on this). Forced ‘Arranged marriages’ are not acceptable. Nor are Honour killings. Nor Cousin Marriage. Nor requiring women to dress ‘modestly’ when their men do not (ie ban full face coverings). English law needs to apply, for example to divorce (not Sharia law). Animals need to be humanely killed (not Helal).
Both men and women need to sign up to our values, and likewise commit to volonteering to fight for our nation if need be.
In our past many Commonwealth people, in the second world war, fought with us, when it was not directly their battle. We cannot have people living here who would not do the same.
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