Mohammed Ali: Cameron must learn the new langage of unity

As local elections loom, there has been criticism from Business Secretary Vince Cable that the PM’s “unwise” comments risk “flaming extremism”.

The British National Party said his speech is “a ceremonial adoption of our policy”. When the BNP accuse the government of cynical opportunism, you’ve got to worry.

But the issues he raises, regardless of the political motivations ahead of a major poll, are ones that are emotive and charged. And his comments cause grave concern, lending themselves as support for overtly racist causes rather than addressing the issues at hand.

What’s more, negative political rhetoric can become self-fulfilling, building resentment and widening the gulf.

That’s not to say that the issues of immigration shouldn’t be addressed or concerns shouldn’t be spoken about openly. At QED, we’ve been facing these difficult challenges head-on for over two decades.

This isn’t new; it isn’t the fact Cameron is addressing the thorny issue that’s in question; it’s the fact that he doesn’t really address how to solve the existing problems around integration.

Ethnic minorities are here, and here to stay. In a modern Britain, we need to look at the issues without drawing on fear or racism.

The mark of a civilised society is the ability to be fair, regardless of difference, whether that comes in the form of religion, skin colour or TV viewing habits.

There’s a danger in using rhetoric around race in the debate around immigration when the real issues are about economics and exclusion.

If we use the idea of race or religion as a foundation for Government policy, we’re edging dangerously close to those BNP beliefs founded on hate and ignorance.

Most notable was Cameron’s suggestion that there are immigrant communities “unwilling” to integrate or learn English. Some might question how sensitive it is to warn immigrants that they must learn English at a time when his Government is slashing funding for people who desperately want to learn the language.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) has seen a 32 per cent cut in funding in the last two years.

Cameron says real communities are “bound by common experiences forged by friendship and conversation”.

He is right that the English language is the key to unlocking many of the problems and tensions around cohesion. A common language is the only bridge we have. But there’s a rather unpleasant irony to his words as ESOL courses face even more dramatic cuts as of September this year. It’s vital that we remember integration is a two-way process. Work needs to be done on both sides.

There will be an impact from these cuts that will be felt when it comes to immigrants who aren’t given the opportunity to learn English, who are left adrift, trying to function independently in day-to-day life – whether it be seeking healthcare or schooling for their kids or securing jobs.

If Cameron’s idea of forging communities is through “friendship and conversation”, how can that dialogue even begin if ESOL teaching is being denied to so many?

Ethnic minorities were encouraged to the UK in the 1950s, when Britain needed the extra labour during the manufacturing boom. And yes, it’s good that Cameron has acknowledged the economic and social value immigrants have brought to Britain. But his speech somewhat denies the reality of long-term, existing communities, focusing on putting a cap on future immigration. Successful cohesion is testament to a country’s civilisation and identity.

At QED-UK, we promote the value of learning English as central to integration. We have just launched a scheme, funded by the European Union’s Fund for the Integration of Third Country Nationals, which offers free English classes in Pakistan for women eligible to enter the UK.

The classes aim to teach not just the language, but focus on integration into British society, helping immigrants learn about healthcare, police, education and politics as well as the cultural differences before they even set foot on British soil. This is about supporting fair opportunity, not encouraging racial division.

So what would be a more helpful way for the coalition Government to develop its ideas? Rather than succumbing to the myth that a “British identity” can be imposed on the population, it would be better to celebrate the largely tolerant co-existence that the UK enjoys – cultural diversity should be an asset not used as a political weapon or to stir up feelings of division.

Learning English on arrival in this country is the best way to get people into their local communities. It is the responsibility of, and in the interests of, the Government to ensure people are not excluded from being able to learn English.

Dr Mohammed Ali OBE is the founder and chief executive of QED-UK, a registered charity in Bradford that encourages and nurtures integration.