KEIGHLEY, ENGLAND, JULY 13, 2001: Ann Cryer, the Labour MP for Keighley, near Bradford, has defended her controversial call for immigrants to be compelled to learn English before they are allowed into the UK. Cryer has said inter-continental marriages in the Asian community were resulting in immigrants who could not speak English. “This limits participation in mainstream social and educational activities. I’m looking to get the support from the Asian community, more specifically from Asian parents, to consider when arranging the marriage of their child, thinking a little more about arranging a marriage with a young Muslim of UK origin,” she said. After receiving criticism from religious leaders and politicians from the Muslim community, Cryer defended her views stating, “A great deal of poverty in the Asian communities in Bradford and Keighley is down to the fact that many of our Asian communities do not speak English or very little.” Cryer added, “Sikhs and Hindus are doing extremely well both academically and economically and I think this is due to the fact that they don’t pursue this practice.” The government backed away from the controversy, with the prime minister’s official spokesman welcoming the contribution that immigrants make to national life.
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