Cameron Tells Muslim Women: Improve Your English or You May Have to Leave UK
Prime Minister's new language test called 'dog-whistle politics at its best'
by
Lauren McCauley, staff writer
UK Prime Minister has introduced new plans to push, and test, English language proficiency in Muslim women, arguing that improving English would "help people become more resilient against the messages of Daesh." (Photo: AP)
In a move being pilloried as racially coded and misguided, British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday announced a new plan to punish and possibly deport migrants who fail to improve their English speaking skills shortly after resettlement.
"At the moment, someone can move here with very basic English and there’s no requirement to improve it," the Prime Minister wrote in The Times. "We will now say: if you don’t improve your fluency, that could affect your ability to stay in the UK."
Under the new visa rules, which Cameron said specifically aim to combat domestic extremism and the "social isolation of Muslim women," those coming to the UK on a spouse visa will be administered an English test two and a half years after arrival.
"I am not blaming the people who can’t speak English. Some of these people have come to our country from quite patriarchal societies where perhaps the menfolk haven’t wanted them to learn English, haven’t wanted them to integrate," Cameron said in an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today on Monday.
He added that there is "a connection with combating extremism," arguing that improving English would "help people become more resilient against the messages of Daesh."
"I'm not saying there's some sort of causal connection between not speaking English and becoming an extremist—of course not, that would be a ridiculous thing to say," he continued. "But if you're not able to speak English, you're not able to integrate, you may find, therefore, that you have challenges understanding what your identity is and you could be more susceptible to the extremist message that comes from Daesh."
The announcement was met with both ridicule and outrage. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron called the proposal "dog-whistle politics at its best"—at a time when growing Islamophobia around Europe and the world is already threatening vulnerable migrant populations.
"Linking women in the Muslim community who struggle with the English language to home-grown extremism only serves to isolate the very people Cameron says he is trying to help," Farron said.
As part of the announcement, Cameron also outlined a new £20 million community fund to teach English to so-called isolated women. Farron noted that this funding comes after the prime minister slashed £45 million from the budget for such language classes.
"Now the prime minister is dressing up a massive cut as a 20 million funding commitment," Farron added.
Guardian newspaper home affairs editor Alan Travis wrote Monday that "the prime minister is wrong to link the issue of integrating a small proportion of new migrants who can’t speak English, with that of tackling extremism. After all, speaking perfect English doesn’t appear to be a big problem for those British jihadis in Islamic State’s videos."
Further, Travis noted that Cameron's specific focus "raises a number of questions."
"Why just Muslim women? And why should foreign-born wives or husbands who arrive on a spousal visa face deportation if they don’t improve their English?" he asks. "And just how many older British emigrants would have to come home if the Spanish suddenly decided that they had to learn the local language as a condition of their continuing residence in the Costa del Sol?"
The Prime Minister's office says that while there are no current plans to remove migrants who fail to reach the required language level, the results "would be taken into account in any request to extend visas or apply for permanent residence."
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/01/18/cameron-tells-muslim-women-improve-your-english-or-you-may-have-leave-uk
Prime Minister's new language test called 'dog-whistle politics at its best'
by
Lauren McCauley, staff writer
UK Prime Minister has introduced new plans to push, and test, English language proficiency in Muslim women, arguing that improving English would "help people become more resilient against the messages of Daesh." (Photo: AP)
In a move being pilloried as racially coded and misguided, British Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday announced a new plan to punish and possibly deport migrants who fail to improve their English speaking skills shortly after resettlement.
"At the moment, someone can move here with very basic English and there’s no requirement to improve it," the Prime Minister wrote in The Times. "We will now say: if you don’t improve your fluency, that could affect your ability to stay in the UK."
Under the new visa rules, which Cameron said specifically aim to combat domestic extremism and the "social isolation of Muslim women," those coming to the UK on a spouse visa will be administered an English test two and a half years after arrival.
"I am not blaming the people who can’t speak English. Some of these people have come to our country from quite patriarchal societies where perhaps the menfolk haven’t wanted them to learn English, haven’t wanted them to integrate," Cameron said in an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today on Monday.
He added that there is "a connection with combating extremism," arguing that improving English would "help people become more resilient against the messages of Daesh."
"I'm not saying there's some sort of causal connection between not speaking English and becoming an extremist—of course not, that would be a ridiculous thing to say," he continued. "But if you're not able to speak English, you're not able to integrate, you may find, therefore, that you have challenges understanding what your identity is and you could be more susceptible to the extremist message that comes from Daesh."
The announcement was met with both ridicule and outrage. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron called the proposal "dog-whistle politics at its best"—at a time when growing Islamophobia around Europe and the world is already threatening vulnerable migrant populations.
"Linking women in the Muslim community who struggle with the English language to home-grown extremism only serves to isolate the very people Cameron says he is trying to help," Farron said.
As part of the announcement, Cameron also outlined a new £20 million community fund to teach English to so-called isolated women. Farron noted that this funding comes after the prime minister slashed £45 million from the budget for such language classes.
"Now the prime minister is dressing up a massive cut as a 20 million funding commitment," Farron added.
Guardian newspaper home affairs editor Alan Travis wrote Monday that "the prime minister is wrong to link the issue of integrating a small proportion of new migrants who can’t speak English, with that of tackling extremism. After all, speaking perfect English doesn’t appear to be a big problem for those British jihadis in Islamic State’s videos."
Further, Travis noted that Cameron's specific focus "raises a number of questions."
"Why just Muslim women? And why should foreign-born wives or husbands who arrive on a spousal visa face deportation if they don’t improve their English?" he asks. "And just how many older British emigrants would have to come home if the Spanish suddenly decided that they had to learn the local language as a condition of their continuing residence in the Costa del Sol?"
The Prime Minister's office says that while there are no current plans to remove migrants who fail to reach the required language level, the results "would be taken into account in any request to extend visas or apply for permanent residence."
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/01/18/cameron-tells-muslim-women-improve-your-english-or-you-may-have-leave-uk
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» "MM&C Unknown aircraft" in the sky of an American state. Panic citizens and authorities check
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Central Bank announces launch date of {Riyada} Bank for lending to small projects
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Central Bank dollar sales in today's auction
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Al-Lami: The general amnesty law threatens Iraqi security and wastes the blood of martyrs
Today at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Politician: Cabinet reshuffle unlikely under current circumstances
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the largest importer of Jordanian commercial goods during 11 months
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Iraq leads movement to "coordinate Arab and regional visions" for change in Syria
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Ports Director: Al-Faw-Umm Qasr Road will be completed ahead of schedule
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Iraq is considering establishing a leasing company with local and foreign participation
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Arab Tourism Capital
Today at 4:39 am by Rocky
» An 11-track Iraqi roadmap for dealing with the new Syria
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» 4 integrated investment opportunities in Kirkuk
Today at 4:37 am by Rocky
» Establishment of departments specialized in the railway sector
Today at 4:35 am by Rocky
» Minister of Justice: We have achieved achievements in the field of human rights
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We were able to advance work to build our country
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» 25% of projects for people with disabilities
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Establishing the largest petrochemical complex in the holy city of Karbala
Today at 4:30 am by Rocky
» The World Air Quality Index ranks Baghdad today as the eighth most polluted city in the world.
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq is a key member of the international coalition
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim: Iraq is immune to what some countries have been exposed to
Today at 4:23 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani arrives in Jordan on an official visit
Today at 4:21 am by Rocky
» What is the relationship between gold imports and dollar smuggling in Iraq?.. Be careful! - Urgent
Today at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Baghdad sends 430 billion dinars to Erbil to cover the deficit of the "three months" of the current
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» Politician: Iraqi military preparations are weak
Today at 4:14 am by Rocky
» Today.. The Council of Arab Tourism Ministers votes on Baghdad as the Arab Tourism Capital
Today at 4:13 am by Rocky
» US delegation in Baghdad to confirm Iraq's support to confront terrorism
Today at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Today.. Meeting of the Council of Arab Health Ministers in Baghdad
Today at 4:11 am by Rocky
» Seven years after the liberation of Iraq from ISIS, Baghdad is concerned about the presence of the o
Today at 4:10 am by Rocky
» Justice: Efforts to develop the national legislative system for human rights
Today at 4:09 am by Rocky
» Iraq is considering establishing a leasing company with local and foreign participation
Today at 4:07 am by Rocky
» Planning: The census data is very large and the final results will be announced between February an
Today at 4:05 am by Rocky
» Parliament and government.. a race with the 2025 budget
Today at 4:04 am by Rocky
» Security Media: We have reached an advanced stage to obtain the latest global weapons
Today at 4:03 am by Rocky
» "Stripping economic sovereignty"... Canceling the platform and leaving 5 banks alone with the dollar
Today at 3:59 am by Rocky
» Here are the dollar prices in the Iraqi stock exchanges
Today at 3:57 am by Rocky
» Mr. Al-Hakim: Kirkuk will get its due in the 2024 budget
Today at 3:56 am by Rocky
» Eye on Iraq.. "Greater Israel" is on its way to appear.. Who will stop Netanyahu?
Yesterday at 9:04 am by Rocky
» Has the Iraqi government shattered the "unity of the squares" by fortifying the borders? Al-Sadr and
Yesterday at 9:03 am by Rocky
» Trump appoints his lawyer Alina Habba of "Iraqi origin" as an advisor to the president
Yesterday at 9:00 am by Rocky
» Central Bank sales exceed $5 billion in a month
Yesterday at 8:58 am by Rocky
» Iraq discusses with the United Nations arrangements to end the mission of the UNAMI mission
Yesterday at 7:01 am by Rocky
» Minister of Culture: Crowning Baghdad as the Arab Tourism Capital will create many investment opport
Yesterday at 6:58 am by Rocky
» Minister of Justice: Efforts to develop the national legislative system for human rights
Yesterday at 6:53 am by Rocky
» Minister of Labor announces allocating 25% of the Small and Medium Enterprises Fund to people with d
Yesterday at 6:52 am by Rocky
» Arab delegations begin arriving in Baghdad to participate in the 61st session of the Council of Arab
Yesterday at 6:50 am by Rocky
» Iraq Development Fund announces imminent launch of 4 basic projects
Yesterday at 6:48 am by Rocky
» utube 12/7/24 MM&C MM&C-Iraq Dinar News-Prime Minister Al-Sudani- Speaks to the People- The World-
Yesterday at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Government advisor: No economic impact on Iraq from Syria events
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Despite the legislative holiday, a representative confirms the continuation of the dialogue regardin
Yesterday at 4:37 am by Rocky
» Al-Lami warns of Netanyahu's plans towards Iraq and the region
Yesterday at 4:35 am by Rocky
» The Ministerial Council for Economy recommends amending the wages and fees collected by the Central
Yesterday at 4:30 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance Committee to Nina: We withdrew the draft amendment to the budget law for this
Yesterday at 4:26 am by Rocky
» US State Department: We will support Iraq and Jordan against any threats that may come from Syria
Yesterday at 4:19 am by Rocky
» The dollar falls against the dinar in local markets
Yesterday at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Meeting of the presidencies and the State Administration Coalition on the situation in Syria…
Yesterday at 4:14 am by Rocky
» Tehran calls on Baghdad to resolve cases of 500 Iranian prisoners in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:12 am by Rocky
» Parliament postpones “controversial laws” to next year
Yesterday at 4:11 am by Rocky
» Integrity: 1,740 taxpayers disclosed their financial assets last October
Yesterday at 4:10 am by Rocky
» The government allocates $100 billion to support strategic projects
Yesterday at 4:07 am by Rocky
» Here are the dollar prices in the Iraqi stock exchanges
Yesterday at 4:04 am by Rocky
» How many Iranian prisoners are being held in Iraq?
Yesterday at 4:02 am by Rocky
» After the fall of the Assad regime... What is the fate of trade exchange between Iraq and Syria?
Yesterday at 4:01 am by Rocky
» Head of Parliamentary Finance: We are keen to approve a realistic amendment to the budget that ends
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 5:00 am by Rocky
» Mr. Al-Hakim calls for making Iraq a regional headquarters for international organizations
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:58 am by Rocky
» Mr. Al-Hakim: Kirkuk is our miniature Iraq and success in it is success for Iraq
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:57 am by Rocky
» Ports: Al-Faw-Umm Qasr Road will be completed ahead of schedule
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:53 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: Budget amendment includes only one paragraph related to the region’s oil
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:51 am by Rocky
» 94% increase in foreign remittance sales in Iraqi currency auction
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:49 am by Rocky
» $10 Billion Cash Flows into Bitcoin Funds Since Trump Win
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:47 am by Rocky
» Financial Supervision Bureau: The percentage of localizing salaries of regional employees exceeded 8
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:44 am by Rocky
» Formation of a government committee to close down violating industrial activities
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:43 am by Rocky
» Iraq rises to third place in the Arab world in gold reserves after Lebanon leaves the list
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:42 am by Rocky
» Laboratories for the unemployed
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:41 am by Rocky
» Closing of {private} institutes in Babylon
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:39 am by Rocky
» Labor is studying the establishment of factories and production lines to employ the unemployed
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:38 am by Rocky
» Iraq is moving towards developing the private sector
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:34 am by Rocky
» Moves to improve the investment environment and implement import policy
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:32 am by Rocky
» Ministry of Planning to {Al Sabah}: The government has processed 1,104 projects
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:31 am by Rocky
» The Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control grants the Iraqi Quality Mark to th
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:28 am by Rocky
» Financial Supervision Bureau: The percentage of localizing salaries of Kurdistan Region employees ex
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:27 am by Rocky
» Washington reassures Baghdad: Syrian factions will not attack you
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:25 am by Rocky
» Integrity Commission discloses its activities in the field of disclosure of assets and money inflati
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:21 am by Rocky
» Advantages of the modern electronic ration card
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:19 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister attends meeting of presidencies and state administration coalition to discuss develop
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:18 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani launches Baghdad Forests Project
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:15 am by Rocky
» Ministry of Planning: The government has processed 1,104 projects
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:13 am by Rocky
» Presidencies and State Administration Meeting: The Importance of Respecting the Choices of the Syria
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:12 am by Rocky
» Al-Sadr after the fall of Assad: We look forward to balanced relations between Iraq and Syria
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:11 am by Rocky
» US National Security Advisor: We are working to strengthen Iraq so that the conflict does not spread
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:10 am by Rocky
» Integrity Commission discloses its activities in the field of disclosure of assets and money inflati
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:08 am by Rocky
» British newspaper: Iraq's development path will compete with the Suez Canal
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:07 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani's wise policies save Iraq from a regional storm
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:04 am by Rocky
» Amending Article 12 whets the appetite for amendments.. The tripartite budget has become “binary”
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 4:01 am by Rocky
» Find out the exchange rates of the dollar against the dinar in Iraq
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 3:59 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan Integrity Commission reveals statistics on corruption cases in the region during 2024
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 3:58 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Committee Criticizes Dollar Selling Platform: It Has Many Problems and Suspicions of C
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 3:55 am by Rocky
» Trump appoints new adviser of Iraqi origin
Mon 09 Dec 2024, 3:54 am by Rocky
» utube 12/5/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar News-Executive & Legislative Authority Integration-Full Support-
Sun 08 Dec 2024, 10:04 am by Rocky