The Prevent agenda's narrow focus

The Guardian's Hugh Muir wrote an interesting article yesterday about the Government's new 'Prevent' agenda - aimed at tackling mainly Islamic extremism - arguing it is all well and good keeping extremism out of Universities, and indeed prisons but shouldn't the Government also be looking at why some impressionable young men find extremism attractive in the first place?

Dealing with extremism is extremely complex but whether it’s the white working class or Muslim communities up and down the country, extreme views find receptive individuals when they themselves lack opportunities and feel under attack.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission's triennial review shockingly highlighted the inequality gap many Muslims face: disproportionately high unemployment levels, poor school results and poor levels of health. Yes, let’s tackle the preachers of hate wherever they spew their bile but let’s also create a society in which their views are simply not attractive.

It's slightly ironic that in regards to the Arab uprisings, Britain and other Western governments are banging on about the need for democracy and equality, which they rightly argue is essential to fight despots and avoid extremism. Ironic because closer to home greater democracy and equality do not play a central role in the challenge against extremism here. And that's a shame.

Simon Woolley