Mr Cameron doesn't fudge on Islamism
It could have been so different. The report on Islamism in the UK (published last week by the Conservative Policy Commission on Community Cohesion -authored by Dame Pauline Neville-Jones), could have been full of waffle and a huge mish-mash of clichés and woolly statements on multiculturalism, social exclusion etc. Indeed, a number of voices within the leadership team, the Shadow Cabinet and Conservative Central Office would have much preferred a fudge. Parliamentary Candidates in target seats with high Muslim populations were anxious not to cause unnecessary upset. One or two senior party figures also tried to get the report watered down.
To Mr Cameron's credit - and that of Dame Pauline Neville Jones - they refused to produce a whitewash. Faced with overwhelming evidence of the power of Islamism and the activities of extremist Muslim groups in the UK, Mr Cameron has decided to act in the national interest and ensure that the Conservative Party has the right policies to deal with Islamism when they get into office.
The Report highlighted the activities of extremist groups like the Muslim Council of Britain - with their support for Islamist clerics like Sheikh Qaradawi and their non-participation in Holocaust day. The report was also strongly critical of multiculturalists suggesting that they promote the politics of 'identity' rather than integration: separation rather than acculturation.
In a series of hard-hitting recommendations, the Report urged no public support or financial backing for any Muslim group with even the whiff of extremism, the promotion of moderate Muslims, better 'integrationist' education - particularly in inner cities - and a move away from multiculturalism.
Mr Cameron has decided - rightly - to confront Islamism in the UK. When visiting a Birmingham Mosque only a few days ago, he condemned - to his face - an Islamist local leader who compared Britain to Nazi Germany, in its treatment of Muslims. Mr Cameron's courage in this should not be underestimated - fudging this issue is a much easier option. Perhaps this is a sign of an emergence of a crunchier conservatism.
To read more by Watlington, see Watlington.
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The problem with the definition of Islamists, extremists and extremism that you use Watlington means that almost every Muslim is defined as an extremist which is totally unhelpful and quite simply wrong. I think you need to try and work out who is an Islamist and what that actually means!
If what you say is correct, then why is Cameron bothering to go to Birmingham and talking to Islamists who allegedly are hell bent on killing innocent people? Surely Cameron isn't foolish enough to sit and talk with these people and give them legitimacy? Because if he is then why is he and his group criticising the MCB and Ken Livingstone for talking to the likes of Sheikh Qaradawi who is also described as an Islamists?
Posted by: Andy at February 7, 2007 02:40 PMDo you really believe this?
I can tell you for nothing Cameron has no intention of confronting *anything*.
Posted by: Mike at February 7, 2007 07:11 PM