During a recent visit to Hastings, Prime Minister Kier Starmer publicly addressed community cohesion in his first real intervention into the issue. He discussed growing divisions in our society, social exclusion, migration, and more. But was it enough? Here, we’d like to give our thoughts on Kier Starmer’s speech and his view of what social cohesion looks like.
The PM stressed that “In a world that increasingly prays on weakness, Britain is stronger as a tolerant, decent and respectful country.” He explored the growing divisions and intolerances around migration and acknowledged with pride the crucial role of migration in British history and values. He framed the fight for community cohesion as a fight between ‘grievance and renewal’, between those who say the country is crumbling and those who are hopeful for the future.
Some key policies were mentioned in the speech, all aimed at developing a more cohesive community. These include a need for migrants to learn English to combat exclusion, holding charities accountable for hate speech, and releasing funding to give more power and agency to local people in their own communities.
Our thoughts
While the grievances facing our communities are obvious, the path to renewal remains unclear. It’s good to see the PM’s open acknowledgement of the difficult issues facing those excluded in our society, but the conversation needs to move from the platitudes of just ‘getting along with each other’ to something more pro-active. Are the policies mentioned here enough to create a cohesive, united society?
Again, while such policies may move us in the right direction, are the Government’s actions mirroring their words? The UK’s new ‘earned citizenship model’, whereby migrants must prove their worth to gain citizenship, may not be seen to promote the ethos of inclusion and respect that is being claimed here. Conversely, while the new English language requirements for migrants may break down social barriers and aid inclusion, we cannot put responsibility solely on the backs of those being excluded. More must be done to address the growing divisive attitudes some have towards migrants. Ultimately, it is still unclear if this government truly welcomes and values migrants.
At LBFN we recognise that hatred, divisiveness, incitement and volatility in public spaces, schools and workplaces is not just about migrants. Cohesive communities are places where everyone feels safe and included; where differences can be celebrated; opinions debated and where attitudes of respect, cultural sensitivity and love for the other are shared by all.
Many reading this will undoubtedly agree the crucial role of faith, inter-faith and other community organisations. They should be at the forefront of the overall social cohesion strategy. Much of the attitudes of exclusion present in the UK today are targeted towards specific religious groups, so faith has a central role to play in developing a more inclusive, cohesive society.
We are keen to see how the work of the Independent Commission on Community Cohesion develops and we will play our part. But we believe that many of these questions and concerns don’t have to wait for a Commission. Community groups are crucial in developing strategy – but only in partnership with public sector agencies, with strong leadership from central Government.
London Boroughs Faiths Network 