The British people have a "profound sense of fairness" and are not a nation of Alf Garnetts, immigration minister Liam Byrne has said.
The British people have a "profound sense of fairness" and are not a nation of Alf Garnetts, immigration minister Liam Byrne has said.
But he said people also expected new arrivals to learn English, pay taxes and obey the law.
But he said people also expected new arrivals to learn English, pay taxes and obey the law.
Mr Byrne made the comments in a speech on British values, which he said would form the heart of immigration reforms.
Mr Byrne made the comments in a speech on British values, which he said would form the heart of immigration reforms.
Alf Garnett - a parody of a bigoted, ranting Little Englander - featured in BBC sitcom Till Death Us Do Part.
Alf Garnett - a parody of a bigoted, ranting Little Englander - featured in BBC sitcom Till Death Us Do Part.
The series was hugely popular in the 1960s and early 1970s, with Garnett played by actor Warren Mitchell.
The series was hugely popular in the 1960s and early 1970s, with Garnett played by actor Warren Mitchell.
The government has said it wants to strengthen Britain's sense of identity and spark a national debate about what it means to be British.
The government has said it wants to strengthen Britain's sense of identity and spark a national debate about what it means to be British.
'Sophisticated views'
'Sophisticated views'
But in a speech to think-tank Demos, Mr Byrne said Labour had to seize the high ground or risk losing the argument to the right as, he claimed, had happened in the US and France.
But in a speech to think-tank Demos, Mr Byrne said Labour had to seize the high ground or risk losing the argument to the right as, he claimed, had happened in the US and France.
A cup of tea, pubs, cider, the BBC, queuing, proper chocolate, fish and chips, darts, fashion, the seasons and countryside, walks and clubbing Liam Byrne's list of 'little things' that are quintessentially British
A cup of tea, pubs, cider, the BBC, queuing, proper chocolate, fish and chips, darts, fashion, the seasons and countryside, walks and clubbing Liam Byrne's list of 'little things' that are quintessentially British
He said he had spent two months listening to the views of British residents on the values they want new arrivals to sign up to.
He said he had spent two months listening to the views of British residents on the values they want new arrivals to sign up to.
"What emerges from the debate I've listened to is British reason at its finest.
"What emerges from the debate I've listened to is British reason at its finest.
"Sophisticated, intelligent views and a profound sense of fairness and tolerance for a Britain in which we live and let live and actually try a bit harder to be a bit more welcoming, and a bit less shy about saying hello.
"Sophisticated, intelligent views and a profound sense of fairness and tolerance for a Britain in which we live and let live and actually try a bit harder to be a bit more welcoming, and a bit less shy about saying hello.
"We are not a nation of Alf Garnetts. But the deal we put on the table is not unconditional. On the contrary.
"We are not a nation of Alf Garnetts. But the deal we put on the table is not unconditional. On the contrary.
"The rules are unambiguous - speak the language, obey the law and make sure you are paying your taxes like the rest of us. It is a very tough-minded fairness."
"The rules are unambiguous - speak the language, obey the law and make sure you are paying your taxes like the rest of us. It is a very tough-minded fairness."
'Fairness'
'Fairness'
Mr Byrne said the views of British citizens would help inform a draft immigration bill next year.
Mr Byrne said the views of British citizens would help inform a draft immigration bill next year.
"You get a sense of what people hold dear by asking about what we would miss if they left.
"You get a sense of what people hold dear by asking about what we would miss if they left.
"The NHS is mentioned over and over again. So is the monarchy.
"The NHS is mentioned over and over again. So is the monarchy.
"So are our values of tolerance and fairness, of a healthy disrespect for authority yet a keen sense of order.
"So are our values of tolerance and fairness, of a healthy disrespect for authority yet a keen sense of order.
"And so are the little things that sometimes mean everything; a cup of tea, pubs, cider, the BBC, queuing, proper chocolate, fish and chips, darts, fashion, the seasons and countryside, walks and clubbing."
"And so are the little things that sometimes mean everything; a cup of tea, pubs, cider, the BBC, queuing, proper chocolate, fish and chips, darts, fashion, the seasons and countryside, walks and clubbing."
British values
British values
On Wednesday, the government said it was considering an English language test for foreigners who want to marry a British person and come to the UK.
On Wednesday, the government said it was considering an English language test for foreigners who want to marry a British person and come to the UK.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she also wanted to ban people with unspent criminal convictions from gaining citizenship.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she also wanted to ban people with unspent criminal convictions from gaining citizenship.
But Mr Byrne said overhauling the rules "about who we let in" was only part of the picture on immigration and more attention had to be paid to the "journey a newcomer might make once they are here".
But Mr Byrne said overhauling the rules "about who we let in" was only part of the picture on immigration and more attention had to be paid to the "journey a newcomer might make once they are here".
"The journey for many newcomers will be to go home. Record numbers left Britain this year - half, in fact of the emigrants from Britain were foreign nationals," said Mr Byrne.
"The journey for many newcomers will be to go home. Record numbers left Britain this year - half, in fact of the emigrants from Britain were foreign nationals," said Mr Byrne.
"But in the system for those of us who stay, our values must sit at the heart of a new programme of reform."
"But in the system for those of us who stay, our values must sit at the heart of a new programme of reform."
The following comments reflect a balance of the views received.
The following comments reflect a balance of the views received.
Liam Byrne is wrong, Britain IS a nation of bigots - otherwise we wouldn't have such draconian immigration laws. Jo, Kent
Liam Byrne is wrong, Britain IS a nation of bigots - otherwise we wouldn't have such draconian immigration laws. Jo, Kent
Typical nonsense. I personally do not know a single immigrant who one wouldn't expect to obey the law, expect to pay tax or recognise the value of being able to speak the language. the very fact that the minister thinks foreigners need to "learn" these basic values indicates to me that along with about 45-50 million others Britain is indeed precisely a nation of little Alf Garnetts except that he actually had the nerve to say what he thought, not something you can always say about your average Brit.anonymous,
Typical nonsense. I personally do not know a single immigrant who one wouldn't expect to obey the law, expect to pay tax or recognise the value of being able to speak the language. the very fact that the minister thinks foreigners need to "learn" these basic values indicates to me that along with about 45-50 million others Britain is indeed precisely a nation of little Alf Garnetts except that he actually had the nerve to say what he thought, not something you can always say about your average Brit.anonymous,
What is it to be British? Historically, it's a nation that has invaded other countries and forced the British lifestyle upon them and enslaved the natives of those countries. Now well to me any sense of national pride is a euphemism for racism.Big Dada, Bristol
What is it to be British? Historically, it's a nation that has invaded other countries and forced the British lifestyle upon them and enslaved the natives of those countries. Now well to me any sense of national pride is a euphemism for racism.Big Dada, Bristol
"A cup of tea, pubs, cider, the BBC, queuing, proper chocolate, fish and chips, darts, fashion, the seasons and countryside, walks and clubbing". Is this how we represent ourselves? Really? Fish and chips, darts and pubs? I'm not sure Liam Byrne speaks for all of us, or even the majority. It worries me to think that in today's world that these are the targets of a reform.,
We are not Alf Garnets anymore. But immigrants need to know that if they are expecting to come to this country - not to enforce their own rules or values onto the majority, they pay their way and INTEGRATE with the local communities they move into. It's a very sad thing when you walk in certain areas (e.g. Southall, South Harrow and West Reading to mention only a few) and are made to feel an outsider IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY. Anon, UK
I agree with Liam Byrne. We have lots of immigrants in Canada and I welcome them if they learn our language, pay taxes and obey the law. We can learn a lot from other cultures. Most learn English but I have seen some who came here when they were young, been here years and they still can't converse with anyone. I may sound bigoted but they should go back to where they came from. When in Rome do as the Romans do.Anne Griffin, Toronto, Canada
I wonder who he asked and where in the UK the minister travelled. It sounds very much like an English sample rather than one that represents all four constituent countries of the UK.Alistair Cook, Brynsadler, Rhondda-Cynon-Taf
Unbelievable some of the comments on here. Nations all over the world have fair immigration policies that include points based systems and a basic criteria for entry. Why not the British! Immigration is a good thing but it cannot be totally uncontrolled. If you want to see resentment then that's the way to go. And please stop harping on about the Empire. If this country was so bad then why the mass influx to the UK and all the benefits that gives. Guess we're not so bad now eh! , Telford
I agree, we are NOT a nation of Alf Garnetts. Those coming to Great Britain must make much more of an effort to fit in and become British rather than ghettoising themselves.Dave, Newbury, Berks
