Cameron attacks 'state multiculturalism' 

David Cameron has said that the introduction of Sharia law for Muslims in Britain as advocated by the Archbishop of Canterbury would undermine society.

 

Speaking at an Equality and Human Rights Commission debate, the Conservative leader disputed Rowan Williams' assertion that adopting some element of Sharia law was unavoidable and would strengthen communities.

 

He said it would in fact lead to a "legal apartheid" and attacked the idea of what he dubbed "state multiculturalism", encouraging different communities to lead separate lives.

 

"I don't believe that by introducing Sharia law, we will make Muslims somehow feel more British - more content with life here and more happy to work for a common good.

 

"In my view the opposite is the case: I think it would be to head in the wrong direction.

 

"The reality is that the introduction of Sharia law for Muslims is actually the logical endpoint of the now discredited doctrine of state multiculturalism instituting, quite literally, a legal apartheid to entrench what is the cultural apartheid in too many parts of our country."

 

He went on: "This wouldn't strengthen society - it would undermine it.

 

"It would alienate other communities who would resent this preferential treatment.

 

"It would provide succour to the separatists who want to isolate and divide communities from the mainstream.

 

"And it would - crucially - weaken, destabilise and demoralise those Muslims who embrace liberal values and desperately want to integrate fully in British society.

 

"And here lies the rub - here lies the essential failure of state multiculturalism and the problem with what the Archbishop was suggesting.

 

"For too long we've caved into more extreme elements by hiding under the cloak of cultural sensitivity.

 

"For too long we've given in to the loudest voices from each community without listening to what the majority want," Cameron said.