Analysis on Cameron's vision of 'muscular liberalism'

THE most interesting consequence of David Cameron's speech is the reaction. It is clear that discussing community cohesion, multiculturalism and radicalisation in Britain is still a very tetchy subject which results in the blame game on all sides.

This highlights that the very nature of the debate is the problem. The tone and frame within which it is conducted does not help foster a positive dialogue about the multicultural challenges every society faces.

Interestingly, Cameron chose to take chancellor Angela Merkel's lead and follow on from comments she made last year about multiculturalism failing in Germany. Many observers at the time noted how, funnily enough, she decided to keep quiet on the issue of multiculturalism failing while the country's football team, made up of a part-Ghanaian defender, Polish striker and a midfield maestro of Turkish origin, went on to reach the semi-finals in the World Cup just a few months earlier.

Parts of Cameron's speech made sense and many people, Muslim or otherwise, would find it hard to disagree with them. For example, the Muslim Council of Britain has supported his comments about the need for all communities to learn English and for a more coherent national identity.

However, what infuriated Muslim groups and those who work on community cohesion is the timing of Cameron's statement and the fact that he chose to single out Muslims - making them out to be more part of the problem rather than the solution. Yesterday, we witnessed one of the largest gathering of neo-fascists in the UK for many years, when the English Defence League descended upon Luton. The EDL, National Front and, of course, BNP have been spreading their poison for decades, however, we are still waiting for a prominent speech from a recent Prime Minister on the evils and dangers their ideology poses to community cohesion and national identity.

With deep and severe cuts forthcoming, the debate regarding immigrants and the role they play in society will continue to rage and may increase strain in already volatile communities. Again, it is the very nature of the debate, which is centred on the identity and loyalty question, and how this is presented, which is fanning the flames of racial intolerance.

Crucially, the biggest criticism of Cameron's speech has focused on the fact that he paints community integration as a one way process where Muslims and immigrants are not shifting their weight.

Such unhelpful categorisations ignore the reality of a multi-ethnic Scotland and UK, where identities are a lot more fluid and unrestricted.

Whether it is by chance or a concerted effort, in Scotland we have managed to shift the entire nature of the debate. We have moved away from obsessing over each other's identities and instead focused on how different communities can and do contribute to our society.

• Humza Yousaf is a former spokesman for Islamic Relief Scotland and SNP candidate