Bethan Benwell says it was actually New Labour that first turned its back on the findings of Lord Parekh’s report, while Martin Rose wonders if the phrase British Asian is itself a token of non-acceptance
It is true that Lord Parekh’s report and its vision of multiculturalism was rejected by Conservatives (‘Crude racism’ fuelled by Tory rejection of multiculturalism, says Lord Parekh, 19 November), but it was actually New Labour that first turned its back on its findings, not long after its publication.
A rapid backlash arose during David Blunkett’s tenure as home secretary (2001-04), embodied in policy proposals in 2001 for citizenship ceremonies and tests requiring proficiency in English language, and suggestions in 2002 that immigrants should speak only English at home, and that arranged marriages among south Asian communities should not involve partners from the Indian subcontinent.