Yasmin Alibhai-Brown argues that we need to fundamentally rethink our approach to national identity, race and public culture as the old debate about multiculturalism cannot meet the challenge of reinventing identity and participation in a devolved Britain, a plural Europe and an increasingly interdependent world. A debate which has too often engaged blacks, Asians and 'ethnic minorities' and not including whites needs to be left behind. The implications of a new approach for specific policy areas, including the arts, are discussed.