A few weeks ago, the Prime Minister promised a muscular liberalism that would take on
the Islamist extremist groups Jack Straw, Ken Livingstone, John Denham and other frightened or simply ugly and unprincipled Labour politicians had funded.
“Let’s properly judge these organisations: Do they believe in universal human rights – including for women and people of other faiths? Do they believe in equality of all before the law? Do they believe in democracy and the right of people to elect their own government? Do they encourage integration or separatism?”
Little did his admirers realise at the time that his first target would be the Quilliam Foundation, which the religious far right loathes because it does believe in universal values, women’s rights, democracy and integration. Even cynics, such as your correspondent, assumed that Mr Cameron would have known that it would be good for him, British Islam and the wider liberal culture if Quilliam flourished. We overestimated him. In a letter to the Prime Minister Denis MacShane describes the vertiginous gap between Cameron’s words and deeds: ‘From Denis MacShane MP
TO : Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Rt Hon Teresa May MP
7 March 2011
Dear Prime Minister, Dear Michael, Dear Teresa
Quilliam Foundation
I was shocked to read today that cuts in Home Office funding may lead to the closure of the Quilliam Foundation.
Ever since Ed Hussain and Maajid Nawaz set it up Quilliam has been a beacon in London for clear-headed, moderate, balanced analysis and policy recommendations on the vexed problem of radical, extreme Islamist ideology and its nefarious impact on British Muslims.
Both men through the writing and work are an inspiration here and abroad. Only the other week I was taking an important American journalist to meet Mr Nawaz as he was the best guide to aspect of this problem in the UK.
I fought under the last administration against those who wanted to see the ideological and communication struggle against extreme Islamist politics – including rampant anti-semitism and invocation to violence in Middle East conflicts – down-graded or returned to the denial of the problem that pervaded Whitehall at least until July 2007.
I appreciated the robust language you used in support of what Quilliam stands for, Prime Minister, not the least at the CST dinner last Wednesday and the arguments of the Education Secretary.
Closing Quilliam will send the wrong signal at the wrong time to the enemies of our values and our freedom. I hope this vital work is allowed to continue.
Denis MacShane MP’
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