Meacher attacks PM race speech

Michael Meacher: Cameron’s “grenade in the system”.

MICHAEL MEACHER has accused David Cameron of “throwing a grenade into the system” during a speech on multi-culturalism.

The Prime Minister controversially declared multi-culturalism a failure and called for a tougher approach in tackling Islamist extremism.

Oldham West and Royton MP Mr Meacher launched a scathing attack on Mr Cameron and said the speech did not say anything new but played into the hands of anti-Muslims and the hard right.

He added: “Opening up a Pandora’s Box in such a mindless way can only unleash the forces of racism, suspicion and hostility that he purports to oppose.

“David Cameron complained that ‘we have encouraged different cultures to live separate lives’, so why doesn’t he end faith schools?

“Does he not realise that in towns like Oldham, Asian people mostly live in segregated districts, not for religious or ethnic reasons, but because they can only afford the housing in poorer areas?

“Does he not appreciate that his advocacy of integration is rather compromised by his party’s Thatcherite championing of individualism over all things? What is really contemptible about David Cameron’s outburst is that he ignores the two key toxic factors that fundamentally drive segregation — racism and poverty/inequality. Both of these are still deeply rooted in British society and Cameron — whether consciously or unconsciously — is giving latent encouragement to the former and with the spending cuts and non-action on bankers and their bonuses is fostering the latter dramatically.”

Mr Meacher also criticised Mr Cameron for making the speech on the same day as a right-wing march by the English Defence League.

During the speech in Germany, Mr Cameron said: “Frankly, we need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and much more active, muscular liberalism.

“A passively tolerant society says to its citizens: as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone.”

He said British society had been too cautious in standing up to “unacceptable views and practices” when they involve people who are not white and cited forced marriage as an example.