Blair says immigrants must 'conform'

People wanting to settle in Britain had a duty to integrate and must conform to its values or stay away, British prime minister…

People wanting to settle in Britain had a duty to integrate and must conform to its values or stay away, British prime minister Tony Blair said today.

Mr Blair said the government would take a series of measures to encourage immigrants and minorities to mix with mainstream British society.

Migration had been good for Britain and London's hospitality to many nationalities had made it perhaps the most popular capital city in the world, he said.

"But we protect this attitude by defending it. Our tolerance is part of what makes Britain Britain. So conform to it; or don't come here. We don't want the hate-mongers, whatever their race, religion or creed," he told an audience that included academics, students and Muslim leaders.

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Britain is reassessing its attitude to racial and religious minorities following last year's bombings when four British Islamists killed 52 people in suicide bombings on London transport's network.

The government has cracked down on radical Islamic preachers who it says inspire suicide bombers. However, experts say the government's focus on Islam could backfire if Britain's 1.8 million Muslims feel they are under attack.

Immigrants wishing to live in Britain will have to pass an English test and ethnic or religious groups seeking government grants will have to show they promote integration, Mr Blair said.