8 August 2005
The renaming of ethnic minority groups is being explored to allow communities to show pride in both their ethnic roots and their Britishness.
A Downing Street spokesman said that the idea had been suggested to Home Office Minister Hazel Blears to be discussed in meetings as she visited different parts of the country. It was not something the Government was proposing or suggesting, the spokesman said.
It is one of a range of proposals to be discussed at regional meetings between the Government and community leaders.
Ms Blears said in a newspaper interview that she found the idea of US-style hyphenated terms ‘quite interesting’.
"I am going to talk to people and ask how does that feel? It is about your identity and I think it’s really important.
"I think it’s really important, if you want a society that is really welded together, there are certain things that unite us because you are British, but you can be a bit different too."
The Oldham event last week was the first in a series of meetings to be held in locations including Burnley, Leicester, Leeds, Birmingham and London.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke plans to hold follow-up talks with Muslim leaders on September 20 when he will outline ‘concrete proposals’.
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