The Government’s latest answer to concerns about immigration and the safety of women is as shocking as it is deeply concerning.
The Home Office has decided to give asylum seekers leaflets, explaining that here in Britain, men and women are equal, and that rape, sexual assault and domestic abuse are crimes.
Just think about that for a moment.
The Home Office apparently believes there are people arriving in this country who need an official pamphlet explaining that women should not be raped, assaulted or abused.
Kemi Badenoch was absolutely right to condemn it. As she said: “Anyone that needs to be told that rape is a serious crime does not belong in Britain.”
She is also right to say that not all cultures are equal. That may make some people uncomfortable, but it is plainly true.
A culture that treats women as inferior to men is inferior to one that regards them as equals. A culture in which underage girls are forced into marriage is inferior to one that protects their freedom and childhood. A culture that denies women control over their own bodies, education, careers or relationships is incompatible with British values.
Britain has many people from different racial and national backgrounds. that does not mean we must become ‘multicultural’ to the point where every belief and attitude is treated as equally valid to our own British values and way of life.
People who come here must respect our laws and fundamental values. Women are equal. Forced marriage is wrong. Sexual violence is an appalling crime. These are not optional customs or complicated cultural differences.
A leaflet is not going to stop a rapist. A scumbag with no respect for women and girls will not suddenly abandon his intentions because the Government has handed him a pamphlet. Anyone who genuinely needs these basic standards explained to them should not be allowed into Britain under any circumstances.
This is symptomatic of a Government in complete denial. There are some Government Ministers who believe every problem can be magically solved with another awareness campaign, while refusing to confront the fundamental failure of our immigration and asylum system.
We need common sense, not leaflets.
Stop the boats, secure our borders and properly establish who is entering our country. Foreign nationals who commit serious crimes must be deported, while those with no legal right to remain must be removed swiftly.
Britain should welcome those who respect our country, share our fundamental values and contribute to it. But we must never be afraid or ashamed to defend those values. Anyone who needs a leaflet telling them not to rape does not belong here.
They should be sent back.
