What the **** is Boris thinking?

[WES]

Let's hope so. I doubt either of us have the numbers.

Out of interest, are there many niqab-wearers in your Surrey village?

No, none at all. Although Guildford has no shortage of Muslim women with some form of head covering.

Why is that relevant, exactly?

[Ash]

No, none at all. Although Guildford has no shortage of Muslim women with some form of head covering.

Why is that relevant, exactly?

It might affect our perception in some way. Maybe not. I see dozens of women clad in this garb every day and I find it a bit disconcerting. I've no idea whether they want to look like blobs, or letter boxes, but it seems dehumanising. If it's their choice then fine, but I don't have to like it any more than they have to like western 'slùts' walking around with exposed skin.

When I lived in Balsall Heath in Birmingham, with a high population of muslims, in the late eighties / early nineties there were no niqabs, as I recall. Perhaps not even many hijabs. In fact my only recollection of conservative religious expression was when gangs of men with clubs went around beating up prostitutes. I don't think there has been a process of integration, other than with basically secular lots like yer Turks.

[Sir C]

It might affect our perception in some way. Maybe not. I see dozens of women clad in this garb every day and I find it a bit disconcerting. I've no idea whether they want to look like blobs, or letter boxes, but it seems dehumanising. If it's their choice then fine, but I don't have to like it any more than they have to like western 'slùts' walking around with exposed skin.

When I lived in Balsall Heath in Birmingham, with a high population of muslims, in the late eighties / early nineties there were no niqabs, as I recall. Perhaps not even many hijabs. In fact my only recollection of conservative religious expression was when gangs of men with clubs went around beating up prostitutes. I don't think there has been a process of integration, other than with basically secular lots like yer Turks.

Good timez with Father Murphy and the other altar boys, a.