Tory MP wants to ban the burkha

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A Tory MP has launched a legal bid to ban Muslim women from wearing burkas in public places.

Philip Hollobone has tabled a private members' bill which would make it illegal for anyone to cover their face in public.

Mr Hollobone has previously likened full face veils to 'going round with a paper bag over your head'.

His Face Coverings (Regulation) Bill is the first of its kind in Britain, and is one of only 20 private members' bills drawn in a ballot for the chance to make it into the statute books.

The bill, which had its first reading yesterday, stands little chance of becoming law due to limited Parliamentary time and a lack of support from the main political parties. But it is set to reignite the fierce debate about the banning of the Islamic garments at a time when a number of European countries are trying to outlaw them.

Mr Hollobone said it was 'not the British way' for Muslim women to cover their faces in public.

Insisting that his bill has widespread public support, the Kettering MP added:

'People feel that something should be done about burkas, but so many are afraid to speak out for fear of being labelled a racist. Part of the British way of life is walking down the street, smiling at people and saying hello, whether you know them or not. You cannot have this everyday human interaction if you cover your face. These people are saying that they don't want to be part of our way of society.'

source

NSW to ban burqa / Australian Crime Database

It looks like New South Wales is set to ban the burqa. The following is an email sent to me by Derek in Australia...

NSW Bill to Ban the Burqa

On Line Vote 86% for 14% against.

Christian Democratic Party MP Fred Nile has succeeded in introducing a bill to ban the wearing of the burqa in the NSW Upper House.

Mr Nile introduced his private member's bill, seeking to ban the wearing of the burqa and other face veils in public, shortly after 8pm (AEST) on Tuesday. Last month, a debate on the same bill was voted down by the NSW Upper House.

Greens MP John Kaye said only the four Greens MPs and Family First MP Gordon Moyes voted against introducing the bill on Tuesday.

"Last month the coalition and the government did the right thing and said no, they would not allow the Upper House to be home to this kind of racist dog whistling," Mr Kaye told AAP on Tuesday. "This time they caved in." Mr Kaye said Mr Nile's bill has opened the door to a "dangerous and divisive attack on one of NSW's communities".

"Letting loose the ugly bigotry that lies behind this bill will only encourage hostility to the Muslim community," he said. "While no woman should be forced to wear a burqa or any other form of clothing, this absurd bill will do nothing to enhance the rights of women."

Mr Nile has denied the bill is racist, saying his concern lay with issues of security and women's rights. The bill has been adjourned until September 2010.

It is hardly surprising they want to ban them when you read stories like THIS

Keep them coming Derek ;)

While we are on the subject of New South Wales, KLA directed me to the Australian Crime Database Take a look, it's a prime example of how immigration enriches our lives.