To those of you who say it’s DNA that makes you English, I would say this: You don’t know what you’re talking about. Our DNA is already mixed up. Have a look at your own DNA. Dare I say, you want to take the beam out of your own eye before you take the mote out of the eye of others. We English are not, and nor should we be seen as, some eugenically pure island race. We are a people who have values and culture and strengths and liberties. People who join that should be incorporated in it and encouraged in it, rather than made to feel foreign. But I would say to those who come here and wish to maintain their culture, that they are making a grave mistake. They have come here because of the strength of Englishness. They should join in with it and not hold themselves out as something separate. The condition for coming is to become English, to be part of this great enterprise, not to remain a foreigner in these lands. ✍️ Jacob Rees-Mogg Article |