Basit MahmoodSaturday
Boris Johnson has demanded immigrants to the UK learn English because ‘there are too many parts of the country where it is not the first language.’ The Tory front runner made the comments while at a Conservative leadership hustings in Darlington on Friday. He said it was important for people to speak primarily English so they can ‘take part in the economy and in society in the way that that shared experience would allow’. He stressed that the story of immigration in the UK is ‘amazing’, and praised the ‘extraordinary economic success and dynamism’ of people who have moved to Britain from overseas. Highlighting Bangladeshis, Jewish refugees from Tsarist Russia, and Huguenots from France, Johnson said immigrants have ‘adapted and they have made their lives and they have helped to make our national culture and they have bought into it’. He added: ‘That’s what I want for our country, I want everybody who comes here and makes their lives here to be and to feel British. Boris Johnson stressed that the story of immigration in the UK is ‘amazing’ (Picture: Getty Images) ‘That’s the most important thing. ‘And to learn English. ‘And too often, there are parts of our country and parts of London still and other cities as well, where English is not spoken by some people as their first language, and that needs to be changed and people need to be allowed to take part in the economy and in society in the way that that shared experience would allow.’ Pair arrested over second fatal shooting in London over weekend His comments were criticised by some however, with the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds saying: ‘Here in Wales, we know that not speaking English as your first language is no barrier to having a thriving community.’ The SNP’s Angus MacNeil, who speaks Gaelic and represents Na h-Eileanan an Iar, said: ‘The utter arrogance of Boris Johnson is yet again apparent. ‘I am delighted that there are places in the current UK where English is not spoken, some of my constituents friends and neighbours would think I was weird if I spoke to them in English rather than Gaelic. Boris’ comments were criticised by the Welsh Liberal Democrats and SNP (Picture: AFP) ‘I’m furious with Boris, displaying the imperialist mindset that deliberately tried to erase the native Celtic languages of these islands in favour of the Germanic import of English. ‘This barb is aimed of course at others who have arrived more recently than the English language to these shores, but we should celebrate multilingualism and foster the speaking of many languages and ignore the racist dog whistles of Boris.’ Labour shadow business minister Chi Onwurah said immigrants and refugees were being denied the chance to learn English due to government austerity cuts. Man stabbed to death outside row of shops at lunchtime The Newcastle Central MP tweeted: ‘Many Newcastle charities provide vital ESOL courses, but devastating funding cuts mean they cannot meet demand. ‘Everyone who comes here should be able to learn English. ‘All refugees should have the opportunity to learn the language skills they need to live and work. ‘This Government’s short term austerity cuts mean we all lose out.’
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