Conservative speech on Multiculturalism

For over a decade now we have witnessed a plethora of speeches and academic papers on the subject of multiculturalism. It is nine years since the Parekh Report came out under the auspices of the Runnymede Trust, a document that proved extremely controversial.
It was welcomed by some, particularly on the left, as a serious critique of the structures of the British state. It suggested that society was rather institutionally racist and it offered proposals to recreate the identity of our country on the basis of being a community of diverse communities.
Others at the time saw it as a deconstructionist document that if implemented would leave any sense of common bond in tatters. There was a lot of journalistic apoplexy. As is common in such cases many had only read the executive summary from which it was difficult to escape the conclusion that it was designed to shock, maybe to shake us out of complacency.
The Parekh report is a subject to which I will return later, because it seems to me that it is essential that it attracts a Conservative contribution - which I am afraid it did not have at the time!


There is, I suggest, quite apart from Hazel Blears' speech, ample evidence that the ideas and ideals of multiculturalism have run into the sand. Certainly its ensuing bureaucratic application has resulted in it being held in widespread contempt.


As I wrote this speech two items of news illustrated this for me.


These were: the parent who was admonished by a school because her 5 year old child discussed her albeit basic Christian understanding with another child; and, secondly, the story of the community nurse suspended for 6 weeks for suggesting she might pray for a patient she was looking after. I put them together because they struck me as examples of disproportionate reactions which are doing great harm to the worthy cause of promoting harmony which I am quite clear the Parekh report was trying to do, even if I have considerable doubts as to its methodology.


In both cases I am sure the authorities believed they were reacting totally appropriately in accordance with the principles of equality and diversity that have grown out of the intention behind the Parekh report in order to develop greater respect and tolerance between citizens.
What I want to discuss tonight is whether the means have destroyed the end and how we as Conservatives would set about achieving a better balance between the spirit of the Parekh report and its results.


Now is the time to put this question. Under the leadership of David Cameron and with a general election on the horizon Conservatives must demonstrate that we have the ability and ideas to address the challenges that a multi-cultural society presents.
The challenge is all the more difficult as the left has had this area to itself for too long. 


Multiculturalism has become synonymous with the messages of the centre left. So any Conservative approach must be articulated within my Party's own tradition and language.
We will not be able to offer our ideas to the electorate if we just continue to repeat parrot fashion the words and methods of the centre left - an approach which is governed by a socialist view of society.


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