Full marks to Mr Straw for stating what to me seems bloomin' obvious:
Jack Straw, the ex-foreign secretary, has angered Muslim groups by suggesting women who wear veils can make relations between communities more difficult.
The Blackburn MP says the veil is a "visible statement of separation and of difference" and he asks women visiting his surgery to consider removing it.
and a slightly surprised "well done" to Mr Cameron for coming out so strongly in support of the NHS
Mr Cameron called the NHS was one of the 20th Century's greatest achievements.
"Tony Blair explained his priorities in three words: education, education, education," he told Tory activists in Bournemouth.
"I can do it in three letters: NHS."
I've got to say though, that however important the NHS is to me, it wouldn't ever get above, say, number 4 on my list of priorities...
6 comments:
It's just a shame Simon Hughes reacted so poorly to Straw's accurate statement.
This is nothing to do with policemans uniforms.
The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.
One person wearing a niqab is a sign of individual choice. Trouble is, 500,000 people wearing them - and perhaps that's where we are heading - wouldn't signify freedom from conformity. And it wouldn't signify an open society.
And yes, I think there are problems with "Statements of Separation" if they cover up your face. Covering your face is literally an anti-social thing to do - it prevents proper non-verbal communication. And if you really want to foster the growth of the dirty right like the BNP, encourage the wearing of the veil.
I've looked at quite a lot of Arabic-language TV from around the Middle East and Sudan. It's funny, but the first time I saw a woman being interviewed on TV wearing a niqab was this morning- from Blackburn on the BBC.
PS , no I'm not ChrisA !
Yes, you are spot on. I am indeed afraid that the trends that would lead to 500,000+ citizens in veils would not allow an open, liberal society.
I could be wrong, and I hope I am. But I don't think so.
Young - I think Straw is entitled to talk about this. Straw is at the real front line and I don't think he is saying this for electoral benefit. You are dreaming if you think that the Muslims in veils and their menfolk are the real liberal voice in this country. Allow me to rephrase. You are stupid.
So, what are the 3 thing you'd list above the NHS?
Kim, I'd say :
1) The Environment - the long-term most important issue
2) The Economy - because if we get this wrong, we don't have enough money to put other things right.
3) Iraq and Afghanistan. Actually, if we could sort that out , I would probably move the NHS (or health in general) up to number 3
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