"Ministers were accused of playing into the hands of the far right and of Islamic extremists as a Labour backlash grew against the Government's continuing focus on Muslim issues.
Senior MPs and peers signalled their alarm at the furore triggered 10 days ago by Jack Straw's call for women to reconsider wearing face veils. They said the Muslim community felt under siege following a succession of recent headlines generated by the Government.
Mr Straw's comments were followed by another minister calling for the dismissal of a teacher who refused to take off her veil and an attack by Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State for Communities, on moderate Muslims who "sit on the sidelines" in the fight against terrorism.
It has also emerged that the Department for Education wanted lecturers to monitor "Asian-looking" and Muslim students suspected of involvement in terrorism. Several ministers believe the recent controversies show the Government is in tune with widespread concerns in the country. ...
Downing Street and Ms Kelly rejected claims that the Government was "demonising" Muslims with the move to monitor students. She struck a conciliatory note after meeting police chiefs and local council leaders in London. She said many groups understood the need for a fresh approach to face up to" the extremist threat.
Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary, also entered the debate. She said: "Women who are heavily veiled, whose identity is obscured to the world apart from their husband, cannot take their full place in society."
Do the government have a plan? Is there a policy objective here? Where are ministers going with these arguments? What do they want to happen? Or do ministers just open their mouths and let their bellies rumble? It seems to me that they are wandering about in a fog of their own making.
I suppose that some leadership is out of the question?
No comments:
Post a Comment