So David Cameron cares about forced marriage now does he?

[falasportugues]

Does he give a shit about the trading of young and vunerable women amongst the men in their communities.... or just about the impact this has on immigration?

[EdithWeston]

I don't really care which, as long as it means that small and rather unsung parts of Whitehall, like the Forced Marriages Unit will continue to be funded. The more he says in support, the harder it would be to cut the ones doing the work.

[falasportugues]

Yes, I see your point, however I do think that motivation is important. With the tory agenda, can we trust that this small unit will continue to be funded in the long run? What about the bigger picture, what about funding for community development which might challenge the judgemental attitudes some men have which cause them to want their daughters married off. Also, What is his logical next step.... more funding for the forced marriage unit, or tighter controls on partners gaining citizenship?

[Thistledew]

The government commissioned a major report when they were considering raising the age for marriage visas. They were advised by several NGOs and charities who are working to combat forced marriages that the measures would not work or would in fact be counter productive. That the government ignored the report and went ahead anyway does rather suggest that their only interest is to reduce immigration.

[KRITIQ]

Why did this government try and push this law through?

1. It makes them look "tough" on immigrants to supporters who hate immigrants.
   

1. They can pretend it's done to protect "vulnerable women" in hopes of getting brownie points from women and feminists (but of course both men and women are equally affected by this and as Thistledew pointed out, the organisations trying to eradicate forced marriage warned this was the wrong action.)
   

1. They knew it would be overturned under European Law - cue "ordinary people" being outraged by Europe meddling, so whip up some more anti-Europe sentiment.
   

I'm not convinced that the measure went ahead just because alot of civil servants in the Forced Marriages Unit were afraid of losing their jobs though, so wanted to have something to be seen to be doing. No, that seems a bit of a stretch.

[scaevola]

"I'm not convinced that the measure went ahead just because alot of civil servants in the Forced Marriages Unit were afraid of losing their jobs though, so wanted to have something to be seen to be doing. No, that seems a bit of a stretch"

I don't think any commentators have suggested that. What an extraordinary notion! Where did it come from?

[KRITIQ]

Edith Weston's 22:31:49 post above.

[scarevola]

I read that as describing a possible effect, not ascribing a cause.

[EdithWeston]

I did mean to describe effect, not cause.

I have no idea what led to him making a speech in those terms, but am glad that it may make it harder to cut the dedicated unit.