To be British is to not be anything else

[dina_sibaei]

In the aftermath of 9/11, the 2002 "Secure Borders, Safe Haven" White Paper proposed a new model of “integration with diversity” that stressed “community cohesion” and a controlled, market-oriented approach to immigration. The paper directly implied that the cultural practices of minority communities, particularly their alleged “self-segregation,” were directly responsible for both violence and the risk of extremism. By portraying these communities as inherently separate, the emerging discourse blurred the lines between race and immigration policy, and it placed the burden of social harmony on the minority groups themselves. The message was clear: rather than the state adapting to accommodate racial diversity, it was the communities that needed to change to fit into British values.

An integral part of the discourse was that the acceptance of minorities in Britain became increasingly conditional, as evidenced in a very distilled manner by the 2006 Immigration Act. This act gave power to the state to strip individuals—some even UK-born—of their citizenship if deemed a threat to 'the public good' (ie. British values). This further reinforced the message that merely following the law was insufficient; minority groups, particularly Muslims, now had to demonstrate active alignment with British ideals. David Blunkett’s response to accusations of institutional racism further highlighted this shift in narrative. He dismissed institutional racism as “just a slogan,” and implied that the real issue lay in a lack of pride in British culture. His approach suggested that these anti-racist efforts (like the Macpherson report) could erode national unity.

Yet, as Kundnani points out, you simply cannot force integration, and these legislative efforts actually alienate more than unify. Genuine integration cannot be imposed unilaterally; it must emerge through a mutual and respectful exchange of values. For that to happen, minorities must have space to participate in the discourse on what “Britishness” means.