John Howard reveals he has doubts about multiculturalism and believes migrants in Australia should ’embrace mainstream culture’

John Howard has expressed doubts about multiculturalism and believes that migrants should “absorb the mainstream culture” of the country in which they settle.

The former Liberal Party prime minister expressed his views on the current immigration issue during an appearance on British television news channel GB News.

He was interviewed by presenter Camilla Tominey, who asked Mr Howard on her show whether he agreed with British Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s claim that multiculturalism had “failed” in the Western world.

“I have my doubts about multiculturalism,” Mr. Howard said.

“I believe that when you emigrate to another country, you should be expected, as far as is reasonable, to absorb the mainstream culture of that country.”

Former Prime Minister John Howard (pictured) has expressed doubts about multiculturalism and believes migrants should “absorb the mainstream culture” of the country in which they settle

“Sure, keep your affection for Greece or Italy or wherever you come from.”

Mr Howard then reflected on how “very successful” Australia has been when it comes to immigration.

He recalled meeting people who had immigrated from European countries in the past and, more recently, from countries such as China and India.

“It (immigration to Australia) works well, in my opinion, largely because people are attracted to the basic (and) mainstream culture of Australia, which is open and tolerant but also proud of what our country has achieved,” he said.

“I think if we placed more emphasis on what our nation has achieved, on what the Western world has achieved, and were less apologetic and less inclined to say, ‘We’re all to blame,’ the better it would be for us.”

Tominey raised the issue of multiculturalism after speaking about the pro-Palestine demonstrations in Britain and Australia.

She asked Mr Howard about the protest outside the Sydney Opera House earlier this month, in which some participants chanted “gas the Jews” and other anti-Semitic slurs.

Mr Howard described the demonstration as “shameful”.

The former Liberal prime minister expressed his views on immigration in an interview with Camilla Tominey (pictured) on her show on British television news channel GB News

Mr Howard was asked about his stance on multiculturalism after the recent pro-Palestine protest outside the Sydney Opera House (pictured) was raised, which the former Liberal leader described as “shameful”.

The pair discussed gun control laws following the recent shootings in Maine in the US, the monarchy and the possibility of a republic in Australia, and the outcome of the Voice to Parliament referendum.

Both Mr Howard and Tominey spoke at length about the Israel-Hamas conflict, with the former prime minister reiterating his strong support for Israel and its “right to exist”.

He also claimed in the interview that the United Nations is “not fulfilling its purpose” but that its organizations such as Unicef ​​are doing a “good job.”

Mr. Howard is in London for the ARC (Alliance for Responsible Citizenship) conference, which will feature presentations by politicians, academics and business leaders on “Challenges to Western Civilization and Practical Solutions.”

Speakers include John Anderson, Mr. Howard’s former deputy, and renowned Canadian psychologist and author Jordan Peterson.