Chief Rabbi: Britain is losing its identity

Britain is losing its identity because of over-zealous political correctness and a failure to deal with immigration, the Chief Rabbi has warned.Sir Jonathan Sacks said that the drive for a multi­cultural society had left Britain increasingly intolerant and that too many people were embarrassed about their history.In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, he stressed that the historic Union with Scotland and the concept of Britain must be preserved.Backing the Telegraph's Call Yourself British campaign, he endorsed plans for a British Day, suggested a more inclusive national anthem should be created and urged the Government to give people a "British dream".Sir Jonathan said that he was proud to call himself British. A poll conducted by this newspaper last week found that more than six out of 10 English voters shared his view, but had growing concerns about the future of the Union.The Chief Rabbi said that there was a climate of intolerance that threatened to destroy the country's identity and had pushed faith to the margins."I think we are seeing a new intolerance," he said. "There is an extravagant over-zealousness in trying not to offend anyone and little do these people realise that other faiths would like Britain to be a Christian country."Sir Jonathan added: "A tolerant society is one that ignores difference and a multi­cultural one is one that highlights them. It is confidence in your own heritage that allows you to be generous to those of another heritage."His new book, The Home We Build Together, argues that the experiment of multiculturalism has failed.Sir Jonathan predicted that ending the Union would lead to further fragmentation."I am concerned about the rise in nationalism in England and Scotland," he said. "We have so much history in common, some of it painful, but all of it contributing to this sense of being together. These bonds of belonging are so important, particularly as we have this splitting into ever smaller fragments, an increased tribalism, in this global age."He also said that the plan to set aside one day to celebrate Britishness was a good idea, suggesting it should be the equivalent of Remembrance Sunday, "but looking at the future not the past".While he likes the national anthem, the Chief Rabbi argued that it might be time to introduce something more "inclusive". He said: "We always sing God Save the Queen, but I don't think many other people do."He also expressed his concern that children were not gaining a sense of identity."What we have lost in British culture is Sunday lunch, dedicated family time. How many families sit together around the table to enjoy a meal together? We come in and stick the pizza in the microwave and eat watching television."I think that's one reason why the deregulation of Sunday was a mistake. It gave us one day in seven where who you are is not determined by how much you spend."
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As in the days of Noah....