ISLAMOPHOBIA David Cameron has smeared Muslim women by suggesting that their supposed failure to learn English and integrate into British society is a cause of “radicalism” and terrorism. In fact most of those who carried out terrorist attacks in Britain, Belgium and France were fluent speakers of these countries’ languages. He added the threat that migrant spouses who fail language tests would be deported. And as for concern for English skills and integration into the workforce this too is phoney. Funding for the teaching of English for speakers of other languages (Esol) was cut by £160m between 2008 and 2015. The government talks up the threat of domestic terrorism in order to boost support for its wars in Syria and Iraq. Red Flag argues that a powerful anti-war movement which supports progressive forces abroad is the best antidote to this racist poison.
