The Islamic Republic of the UK

There is no hotter topic in the UK than the immigration/integration/Islamification debate that is currently raging not just in the media, but in the workplace, the pub, the street. It has become a bitter and twisted battle of words between left and right, Christian and non Christian, employer and employee - everyone has something to say about it. But does anyone have a solution? Indeed, does anyone really know what the real issues are any more? Or have those on the more extreme ends of the debate hijacked and take it into realms of fiction, myth and legend - not a place likely to produce any positive results any time soon. But the most important question - how much of a problem does the UK face from this three pronged 'foreign invasion'?

What is undeniable, is that an atmosphere of fear, resentment and mistrust has pervaded much of the white British population. The tabloid press have undoubtedly contributed in an overly negative way to this perception, as the extremists at both ends of the spectrum have used the media to broadcast their views and ideas. Multiculturalism, integration, secularism and other pieces of innocent looking vocabulary have been used and abused as various groups look to score points, giving these words new and often sinister meanings.

Political correctness paranoia has swept through local authorities, corporations and workplace like an MRSA bug in a crowded ward, as bosses, often under advisement from self serving consultants, look to head off religious and racial conflicts before they arise. It's a sad fact though, that some go a little too far in their search, pro actively hunting like scientists for new, undiscovered, patentable PC gimmicks. Shutting away coin operated snack dispensers during Ramadan is one of the latest gaffs. It's a gaff, because it's simply unnecessary, and will only promote resentment. A food machine is not a religious object that may offend.