Kumar Bhattacharyya: Happy about feeling good

Mar 19 2010 By Kumar Bhattacharyya

It is remarkable that despite all the negatives associated with the West Midlands the feel-good factor has been little affected.

There is a greater understanding of the inevitable – the consequences of the credit crunch.

Were it 30 years ago the current level of unemployment would have resulted in mass agitation. Why has that not been repeated today?

The trade unions are not the power they once were, and in part it reflects what the Government has been doing in terms of regeneration. You don’t see the slums of old.

And it is also a spin-off from being in Europe. I support the EU. Many people are concerned at the amount of regulation our membership brings, but, by and large, we have benefited a great deal. Europe is our biggest market and we cannot any more stand apart from the world in isolation.

But I am fearful about extremism – the likes of the BNP. The actual threat is not that great because the BNP is not likely to win seats. But the associated vocalisation can cause ripples in a diverse society.

Over the last three to four decades governments of all political colours have put in considerable effort to ensure the acceptability of multi-culturalism. It is important that we remain vigilant.

We must not forget that first of all we are British and tolerance has been in the nature of the British throughout history – why so many of our former colonies are in relative peace.

Indeed Birmingham, with its Quaker influence, has been at the forefront of this.

But equally it is incumbent on immigrants and minorities to realise they are in Britain and not impose unnecessary demands. And they need to mix in and become part of the overall community of this nation. They must play a real part in British society and a large number of them do.

We are a small country and it is understandable that there should be controls on immigration. This Government has to address this by bringing in a points-based system.

The temptation in the aftermath of the credit crunch is that some people will seek to exploit the matter. Minor parties will look to play it up. I would urge people to remain calm. Immigration must not become a major factor in the General Election – the British are above such matters.

Do not play into the hands of extremists.

* Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya is the founder of Warwick Manufacturing Group