This is the intended text and may differ from the speech as
delivered. Let me say what a pleasure it is to be here at this
discussion on our country's character, our values, our future. I
am here to listen, I am here to learn and I am here because I
want to discuss with you during the course of the day what you
think about being British, how important being British is to
your identity, what you think characterises us as the British,
what in particular could be said to be British values, what are
the British values that make us proud to be British. And I'm
here to listen, because recent weeks have seen a renewed focus
on what it is to be British and what we value about the British
way of life: · whether all the different countries of the union
- Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland - all want to
stay together, part of the union · how we better integrate our
ethnic communities and respond to migration · how we respond to
Muslim fundamentalism · what is our role in Europe and the
European constitution.