13 March 2011

A second response to Matthew Goodwin

.... This question takes us to the heart of the matter. Both Goodwin and the Populus poll agree that most Muslims identify with Britain rather than any other state, and with their fellow citizens rather than their co-religionists abroad.

However, the key word here may be "most": according to Populus, the percentage who don't so identify is 31 per cent - nearly a third of respondents. Furthermore, identification with Britain tells us only a limited amount about integration and cohesion.

The tests to which Goodwin refers - whether Muslims trust institutions, feel that they belong to Britain, and feel they can influence decisions - reveal little, if anything, about their views on the relationship between sharia and law. [ConservativeHome] Read more