Does Ruth Kelly's new commission on integration and cohesion have any remit outside England? Her speech of announcement (here) is full of references to Britain, Britons and British, but the press release (here) carefully avoids any specific reference to Britain.
The facts that the commission is to report to Ms Kelly and not jointly to the communities ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (as well) and that none of the members of the commission is based outside England suggest that this is a purely English exercise. Which is probably just as well, as the problems in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales may be rather different. But, in the unlikely event of any useful recommendations emerging from the commission, these could no doubt be implemented beyond the English borders.
But it does leave one wondering at the value of a commission for integration and cohesion which is restricted to England. Not exactly inclusive, is it?
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