Tension between communities

IT WAS not that many years ago that ministers used to sing the praises of Britain’s multicultural society. The winds of change sweeping that particular landscape have reached a stage at which the head of Britain’s race watchdog now speaks of a “cold war” between ethnic communities.

He also warned of the strains on the “settled” population. By that, presumably, he meant elements within the indigenous population alarmed at current rates of immigration. At times, the political correctness simply adds to the confusion.

It was no coincidence, of course, that Trevor Phillips chose the anniversary of Enoch Powell’s infamous “rivers of blood” speech and chose the same hotel to make his address.

Mr Phillips was, perhaps, a little harsh on Mr Powell to suggest that the original speech inhibited later policy decisions on immigration control. Some might accuse government ministers and race-relations leaders of simply putting their heads in the sand.

Historically, Britain has a fine tradition of living side by side with others, but unprecedented migration over the past 40 years has tested that to the limit.

Today’s politicians cannot do what their predecessors did and pass the problem on to tomorrow’s politicians.