The government should be lauded for its unflinching stance on China
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China's treatment of the Uighur Muslims is beyond comprehension. Uighurs have reported experiencing marginalisation, poverty, displacement, persecution, sexual and gender-based violence and grave human rights violations. Others have reported enduring acute mental health problems and trauma symptoms such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and infectious and parasitic diseases. The British government is therefore to be lauded for its unflinching stance to raise awareness about China's apparent contempt for human life and dignity.
Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob
London
Multiculturalism
Such an inspiring column from Naomi Ishiguro, about the wholesale benefits and plusses of multiculturalism in our country. I always felt too that this blend of different nationalities all added to the spice of our lives before it was manipulated into something toxic by successive governments.
She is correct too that everyone from whatever creed, culture or country can indeed inject their own innate brilliance into whatever they set out to do. Britain is now the poorer for the “hostile environment” and how this draconian and dire policy pilloried men, women and children who had spent their lives here. It is a consummate stain, which in my view will never be eradicated, however many warm words emanate from the home secretary and the supposed desire to “right wrongs”.
Naomi, you are definitely not a “failed experiment” and it upsets me and no doubt many others who realise that this country is set on the wrong path if it erroneously thinks that multiculturalism is something this country can do without.
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I am a Catholic and my church would be poorer and the congregation decimated if so many friends and fellow worshippers felt isolated in this way, when they should be made to feel welcome and included in the wider community.
I would echo her sentiments that on the ground it is probably a different picture, and people are welcomed for themselves and the gifts they bring to the multicultural table. I too bemoan this government’s trajectory with its broken asylum policy but with the solution being an even harsher course; the refugee who is seen as an illegal intruder, when he or she is escaping heinous regimes such as Syria. Why oh why can't we go back to how things were? It was definitely not perfect but there was far more “live and let live”.
So thank you Naomi and every good wish for the success of your book, which will hopefully open minds and hearts to all that can be achieved if the government and society set its mind to do just that, instead of closing the door on such potential that can only benefit us all.
Judith A Daniels
Norfolk
Union Jack
In what way does a coloured piece of cloth represent the “union”? On it are symbols of three saints one of whom has no connection with England or the other nations in the union and who certainly never killed a dragon. The other two saints represented probably weren’t even homegrown.
And where is Wales? So it doesn’t represent the Union at all. It doesn’t represent all the countries that make up the union, it doesn’t represent the crown, what does it represent? I certainly feel more than slightly nauseated when I see politicians going in for flag-hugging a la Trump. Stop it!
Judy Marris
Bath
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Brexit Britain
What does the Tory government think they will achieve with all this Brexity Union Jackery? Do they really think it stands the slightest chance of reconciling Remainers to Brexit? How is a “Festival of Something You Oppose” supposed to do that?
If they really want to reconcile us to Brexit, rejoining the single market and customs union for the sake of businesses and consumers would be a far more effective way of going about it. Or signing us back up to Erasmus, so that young people can continue to benefit from the life-changing opportunities we older ones enjoyed. Or ending their reckless gamble with peace in Northern Ireland. Or categorically taking the NHS off the table in their trade negotiations.
So long as they are just banging drums and waving flags while Brexit Britain burns, I very much doubt I am the only Remainer whose opposition to Brexit will remain as strong as ever.
On the subject of flag-waving, do they really think hoisting Union Jacks all over the place is going to weaken the independence movements in Scotland and Wales? Do they really think those of us who can see that the UK simply isn't working for us and want to be able to pursue a more forward-looking, progressive, internationally minded, kinder, fairer, more compassionate, social democratic future are going to crumble at the sight of a few pieces of red, white and blue cloth?
If this really is what they think, they are clearly deluded. But perhaps healing divisions is not actually what they are aiming for at all? Perhaps all this is really just an exercise in domination, a clear signal that opposition will not be respected, that there is now only one permitted narrative.
It says a lot about the state of the UK right now that we need to ask ourselves whether its government is actively totalitarian or merely irredeemably thick.
Paula Kirby
Inverness
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