Multiculturalism In Switzerland

David Cameron has stated, just as Angela Merkel did before him, that multiculturalism has failed in Europe. He called for minorities in UK to better integrate, to learn English, to become more British.






He states that organizations who do not support and follow our rules of equality, democracy and integration shall no longer be able to access public funding.

Incredibly, he made this speech on the day that the far-right organization English Defence League were due to march in Luton. I am sure that they were pleased with what they will see as support from the PM.

I am rather bemused by this. For one, I wonder what Mr Cameron thinks makes a person "British". Is it the ability and inclination to form an orderly queue? Perhaps the constant willingness to talk about the weather.

It also seems unfair to expect foreigners to give up their customs when they move to UK since the Brits are not known for their inclination to do the same when they move abroad. Take a walk down the main street in Torremolinos, and observe the British expats eating steak and onion pie with chips. Ask in Dubai how many expats speak Arabic, or Iive as the locals do.

Here in Switzerland there is a large expat population. In the canton of Geneva, over 30% of the residents are non-Swiss. There are several expat society and clubs, American and British food stores, International and foreign language schools. You could easily live - and many do - in Geneva area without learning any French.

Who are we to complain then about those moving to UK not integrating when we don't integrate abroad?

Which is not to say that immigrants in the UK should not abide by our laws, as we do when we live in a foreign country. Of course they should. But why should they adopt our customs when they have their own?

Mr Cameron makes the distinction between Islam and Islamic Extremists. He is not against Muslims but those who use their religion to excuse their inhumane actions and acts of terror. He objects to those who do not live up to our ideals of equality and democracy. He vows to withdraw funding to groups who do not meet our standards.

Of course I agree that we should encourage equality and tolerance. We should start by leading by example. We should share our values, teach our values. How shall we do that if we alienate even those who are willing to listen?

By withdrawing funding, by pointing the finger at the Muslim population and telling them to better integrate, Cameron is giving the members of English Defense League and those who support them leave to say, "We are right, even David Cameron says so".