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HOWARD'S WAY.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

12 October 2006

 

Was Jack Straw right? Was he right to raise the question of the wearing of the veil by Muslim women? And, in particular, is he right to ask constituents who come to his surgeries to remove their veil? 

The answers to these questions are not as straightforward as they may appear to be at first sight. 

Let’s begin by clearing up one area of confusion. No-one can seriously dispute the fact that Mr Straw was entitled to raise and to ask this question. Free speech is a cardinal feature of our society. Anyone is entitled to raise these questions. 

But was he wise to do so? 

Let’s examine the reasons he gave. 

First of all it is suggested that the veil is a barrier to communication. In some circumstances it may be. If I were interviewing someone for a job I would want to see their face. But the conversations which take place between MP’s and their constituents are rather different. Quite often, when it is difficult for a constituent to come to the surgery, this kind of conversation takes place on the telephone. In my experience this rarely, if ever, seriously inhibits the value or effectiveness of the conversation. So I don’t think this reason stands up. 

Secondly, he says he disapproves of the veil because it is a symbol of separatism and differentiation. It is difficult to deny that it can be such a symbol. But although Jack Straw or I or anyone else may disapprove of it for that reason surely the people who wear it, even if they wear it because they wish to be separate or different, are perfectly entitled to do so. 

Muslim women are not the only group who does so. Those who belong to certain Jewish sects dress as their ancestors did in eighteenth century Poland. As we have recently had tragic reason to be reminded the Amish people of Pennsylvania dress, and try to live, as though they were in eighteenth century Germany. 

If I asked any of these people to dress as I would like them to I would expect them to reply “Mind your own business.” And they would be right. How they dress, and how Muslim women dress, is none of my business. 

People who come to live in our country have a duty to abide by our laws. They do not have to accept all our customs. 

So although Jack Straw was entitled to ask the women at his surgery to remove their veils, in my opinion he was unwise and wrong to do so. 

What do you think?