NLGN report drives shift in government approach to Prevent.

August 12, 2009


Stronger Together, a report released on Monday by NLGN, sought a broadening of the approach to Preventing Violent Extremism to include other forms of extremism, such as that from the far-right, and warned the government that the current programme was alienating some parts of the Muslim community.

Trailing of the paper in the media over the weekend resulted in Communities Minister Shahid Malik appearing on Sky News to set out the government’s response. He articulated a new approach to prevent, saying:

“We are already broadening our approach to involve all communities in developing shared values to strengthen cohesion. This includes putting a renewed focus on resisting right-wing, racist extremism, based on strengthening communities to help keep everyone safe.

He told Sky News:

“You speak to any Muslim on the street anywhere in this country and they will say they are as opposed as you and I are to extremism, to terrorism, but the frustration is that they are constantly linked with terrorism as a community as a whole.”

He went on:

“It is not just about the Muslim, it is actually about everybody in our society having a role to play and we cannot dismiss or underestimate the threat from the far right.

”There are white areas which are severely neglected. What we want to do is engage in those white communities to make sure that they are listened to, they feel they are respected, they are part of our community and in that sense they don’t feel there is some unfairness in how government operates, in how public authorities operate.”

”They are in all communities; it is not just a problem of one religion.”

Anna Turley welcomed the Minister’s response:

“I am pleased the minister has responded in this way to the report, and recognises the severity of the threat from other parts of the community to our safety and security. Local authorities and their partners are facing these difficult issues on a daily basis, and support from the government in tackling all forms of extremist threat to community safety will be welcome. Our paper sought to highlight the urgency of this broader approach, as well as to recommend a revised approach to preventing violent extremism which ensures there is greater support for its aims within the Muslim community. I look forward to seeing how the government develops its ideas.”

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