Source: The Independent
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=522983
On May 20, 2004 The Independent reported, 'Muslim leaders were urged by the Government yesterday to redouble efforts to counter 'extremists' in their community whose hardline teachings inflame racial tension. The Home Office called for a drive to give all Britons, whatever their colour, a 'sense of pride' in the country and enable them to identify with its national symbols, such as the Union flag. A paper from the department yesterday insisted that progress had been achieved on promoting racial equality, but it conceded that Britain still faced 'significant challenges' in achieving it. The document admitted that the 'huge investment' in the poorest areas had done little to improve the prosperity of the ethnic minorities. David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, regards the creation of a comprehensive 'community cohesion and racial equality' strategy as a priority for the Home Office. The department said racism could not be rooted out by legislation, and had to be bolstered by 'a sense of people belonging to Britain and to each other.'"