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Cameron’s ethnic stance attacked
ONE of Yorkshire’s most prominent Asian businessmen has launched a stinging attack on the Government and warned that David Cameron’s rhetoric on multi-culturalism could start a wave of anti-Muslim feeling across Europe.
Arshad Chaudhry, chairman and founder of the Asian Business Development Network (ABDN) and director of Business Link, said minorities fear for the future after the Prime Minister said multi-culturalism in Britain “had failed”.
Speaking at the ABDN annual business awards in Leeds, Mr Chaudhry said the comments had “shaken the confidence of ethnic minorities”.
Later, in an interview with the Yorkshire Post, he raised concerns that young people could be left feeling isolated and at risk of being radicalised.
Mr Chaudhry went on to criticise the Government’s appointment of Sayeeda Warsi as a Minister without portfolio, dismissing her role as that of a “token Minister” that harms the chances of ethnic minorities entering government.
He said lives of ethnic minorities were already being affected and said his children, born in the UK, were “as British as yours, Mr Cameron”.
“Our Prime Minister said that multi-culturalism had failed,” he said. “That statement has shaken the confidence of ethnic minorities.
“In our community, everyone was taken aback by David Cameron’s speech. It was followed by the German ministers who also said that multi-culturalism does not work.
“This could be something that goes across the whole of Europe and that could be very damaging – particularly for Muslims – it seems like most of it is being directed at that community.”
Mr Chaudhry admitted that racial tension was an issue but said greater work had to be carried out so people understand and respected cultural differences.
“Yes there have been tensions and there are some issues, but I do not think that any country has the rich level of multi-culturalism that we have,” he said.
“Clearly the rhetoric will have an impact on policy, already our lives are being affected by what has been said.
“Politicians do not simply say something, it is a signal of their intention and it could be dangerous. We need to work to put cement in the cracks that are there, rather than saying things that will widen them.”
At a security conference in Munich in February, Mr Cameron argued the UK needed a stronger national identity to prevent people turning to extremism in an address that angered some Muslim groups, while others queried its timing ahead of planned English Defence League rallies.
Mr Chaudhry said Thursday night’s business awards represented a celebration of people from different cultures working together and achieving success.
“At the business awards the room was full of people from a huge variety of backgrounds – that is something we need to celebrate,” he said.
“But what has happened in the past, the patronising of people, putting them in boxes, creating ghettos, we must not get back to that. It is one Great Britain, for all of us.
“Otherwise young people will feel disenfranchised – that feeling of social exclusion can lead to young people being radicalised.”
A Downing Street spokesman said: “As the Prime Minister has said, we should encourage meaningful and active participation in society, by shifting the balance of power away from the state and towards the people. That way, common purpose can be formed as people come together and work together in their neighbourhoods.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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