Australia's outgoing UK High Commissioner Alexander Downer has urged Britain to learn to integrate its migrants.
Speaking at the Policy Exchange ahead of his replacement by former attorney-general George Brandis, Mr Downer reflected on his time in London and how striking it was seeing how ethnic groups were so heavily concentrated in different suburbs.
"Over quite some years, it was apparent that there had been only a very limited effort to integrate migrants into the mainstream of British society," he said.
"As a result, some indigenous Britons felt that their national identity was being threatened by migrants."
Mr Downer cited a trip he made to East Birmingham with the West Midlands police where he was astonished to see how the immigrant community had its own street signs, schools and "barely any contact at all with mainstream British people".
He says Australia on the other hand decides who comes to the country and insists migrants can speak English.
"There would be much broader acceptance of migrants being welcomed into society provided they were integrated and encouraged to embrace the core values and traditions of Britain," he said.
Mr Downer, who steps down next month, told the audience officials in London have been more interested in Australia since the historic Brexit vote, embracing the idea of a free trade agreement.
"There is every chance that we could conclude negotiations for such an agreement before the end of the transition or implementation period in December 2020," he said.
He even gave a personal example of the potential benefits of such a deal.
"Both David Cameron and Sir Mark Sedwill, the National Security Adviser, like to wear R M Williams boots, so when they replace them they will be able to get them more cheaply thanks to an FTA with Australia," he said.
The former foreign minister also criticised the lack of debate within the UK for economic reform.
"You have a fine goose in the city of London. You need to keep that goose laying its golden eggs so that London can remain the greatest financial centre the world has ever known," he said.
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