Another typical "PC Scare" headline from a "rag" more than adequately described by Geoff above.

For anyone with an attention span longer than the average gnat who can be bothered to read the actual article some very interesting points are raised for discussion by the Institute for Public Policy Research an INDEPENDENT progressive "think tank"


'Councils must act to "ensure children mix and are able to form friendships with pupils from different backgrounds".'

- well this would go against the current policy of encouraging segregation into "faith" schools, from experiences in sectarian Northern Ireland this seems like a good idea

The presence of bishops in the House of Lords, for instance, is condemned as an "anachronism" that should be removed.

- Amen to that

'Much more needs to be done to "ensure access" to the countryside for black and ethnic minority groups, disabled people and children from inner-city areas.'

- like this is a bad thing?

'"Even-handedness dictates that we provide public recognition to minority cultures and traditions.
"If we are going to continue as a nation to mark Christmas - and it would be very hard to expunge it from our national life even if we wanted to - then public organisations should mark other religious festivals too.'

- I believe Diwali was celebrated by 30,000 people of all faiths in Trafalgar Square last month!

Rick Muir, a Research Fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research and co-author of The Power of Belonging: Identity, citizenship and community cohesion, has issued a full reply to this deliberately misleading and provocative headline on the ippr web site

"So, fear not! Christmas is safe and I for one will be tucking into mince pies and doing a last-minute dash round the shops this festive season. The political challenge is to combine respect for important traditions with a common identity we can all buy into, whatever our background."