John Howard’s way ‘leads to harmony’

John Howard says he has always had trouble with the concept of multiculturalism and that immigrants should be expected to ‘adopt the values and the practices’ of their new home country.

Former prime minister John Howard at the conservative Responsible Citizenship Conference in the UK. Picture: James Whatling / Parsons Media

John Howard says he has always had trouble with the concept of multiculturalism and that immigrants should be expected to “adopt the values and the practices” of their new home country.

Appearing at the inaugural ­Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference in the UK, the former prime minister said multiculturalism often tried “too hard to institutionalise differences” and that people should celebrate the aspects they have in common.

He said people should not fall into a trap of “tribes and culture”.

“Multiculturalism is a concept that I’ve always had trouble with. I take the view that if people want to emigrate to a country, its on the basis that they adopt the values and practices and the standards of that country,” Mr Howard said.

“And in return they’re entitled to have the host citizenry respect their culture without trying to create some kind of federation of tribes and culture – you get into terrible trouble with that.”

Mr Howard reflected on his own political career when he said a lot of voters told him they had travelled to Australia because it was free and generous, which should be celebrated.

“I can remember from my political career you go to a lot of local events, particularly in the bush … and you meet a lot of people who say we came to this wonderful country because you were free, you were kind you, were generous

“And isn’t that terrific? Do you really have to redefine that relationship? I think one of the problems with multiculturalism is we try too hard to institutionalise differences, rather than celebrate what we have in (common).”

Mr Howard also said there should not be “separation based on race or background”.

He was speaking at the conservative conference which has drawn more than 1500 delegates from 71 countries, including numerous Australian current and former politicians such as Tony Abbott, Mark Latham, Barnaby Joyce, Matt Canavan and Domi­nic Perrottet.

Former deputy prime minister John Anderson, conservative UK politician Baroness Philippa Stroud and public intellectual Jordan Peterson were instrumental in establishing the event, which they hope will provide a vision for political and economic life rooted in freedom and traditional ­Judaeo-Christian values.

Indigenous senator Jacinta Price also appeared at the event on Wednesday, when she gave a keynote address calling for an end to separatism and racial division after the failed voice referendum, accusing the Yes campaign of “emotional blackmail”.

“They tried to teach everyday Australians that we belong to a racist country, tried to teach our children that they shouldn’t be proud to call themselves Australian, tried to suggest that if you voted No that you belonged to the wrong side of history – well, we showed them,” she told an enthusiastic audience.