In a remarkable show of unity, a broad coalition of leaders from the UK's most influential UK African Asian and Caribbean organisations committed to ending racism has penned an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, spotlighting the unsettling and alarming circumstances surrounding Diane Abbott, MP, the UK's first black female MP, and the broader issues of racism and hypocrisy within the nation's political landscape.
Diane Abbott, a veteran Labour MP, has found herself at the heart of a contentious racism row involving a significant Tory donor, Frank Hester, whose derogatory remarks about her have ignited widespread outrage. In addition, Hester's call for Diane to be shot in an age of increasing political violence is a criminal act worthy of prosecution. This controversy has been further inflamed by the Labour Party's attempt to leverage the scandal for fundraising purposes, despite Abbott's ongoing suspension and the party's reluctance to confront issues of racism and sexism within its ranks head-on.
In an email to its members, the Labour Party expressed indignation over the Conservative Party's refusal to return a £10m donation from Hester despite his definitive and unambiguous racist comments towards Abbott. This cynical fundraising approach has drawn sharp criticism from Abbott herself, who decried the rank hypocrisy of using her situation as a fundraising tool. At the same time, she and many Africans and Asians remain marginalised within the party, and Black communities across the UK read the Forde Report with anger and disgust. Kier Starmer's response to the Forde report's devastating findings has been sloth-like cosmetic and and performative.
The Speaker of the House humiliated Diane 40 times during the debate on Hester's comments. This enraged people throughout the country, as he quite doggedly and determinedly refused to call Diane. Millions of people stood with her each time she stood, and she persevered with tremendous strength, dignity, and poise.
The coalition's letter to the Prime Minister criticises the government's slow response to denounce Hester's comments as racist, suggesting it reflects a wider reluctance to tackle racism decisively. This reluctance, the coalition argues, not only undermines the fight against racism but also hints at a tacit acceptance of such ideologies within the political discourse.
The letter calls for immediate action, urging the Conservative Party to make a clear statement against racism and engage in meaningful dialogue on systemic racism. It emphasizes the need for the UK government to lead by example in the fight against racism and promote a society where equality, respect, and inclusivity are paramount.
This unprecedented coalition, including representatives from Operation Black Vote, Action for Race Equality, Runnymede Trust, Black Equity Organisation, Muslim Council of Britain, Racial Justice Advocacy Forum (representing the Black church) and many others, highlights the severity of the situation and the urgent need for a united stand against racism in all forms.
The situation surrounding Diane Abbott not only raises questions about political fundraising ethics but also casts a spotlight on the ongoing challenges of racism and sexism in UK politics. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of consistent and principled stands against race discrimination and the need for all political parties to reflect deeply on their policies, practices, and responses to racism within their ranks.
As this situation unfolds, it is clear that the coalition's call to action goes beyond a single incident, urging a comprehensive and enduring commitment to combating racism across the political spectrum. The unity and resolve demonstrated by this diverse group of leaders offer a beacon of hope for meaningful change and a more inclusive, equitable society.
To: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
10 Downing Street,
Westminster,
London SW1A 2AA,
Thursday, 14 March 2024
Dear Prime Minister Rishi Sunak,
Subject: Diane Abbott MP
We write to you collectively as concerned citizens and representatives of various national organisations committed to ending racism and promoting equality in our society. With a heavy heart and deep concern, we address the recent revelations surrounding Mr Frank Hester’s remarks and the Conservative Party’s response to them.
Firstly, we must express our profound disappointment and concern over the initial reluctance of Downing Street and Conservative ministers to denounce Mr Hester’s remarks as racist categorically. While we acknowledge the subsequent statement labelling the comments as "racist and wrong," this delayed response is emblematic of a broader, troubling trend within the current government's approach to addressing racism. The hesitancy to immediately and unequivocally condemn such remarks not only undermines the fight against racism but also signals a tacit acceptance of such ideologies within the political discourse.
Moreover, the fact that Mr. Hester felt emboldened to express such vile sentiments, to begin with, speaks to an increasingly normalised culture of racism that has been allowed to fester under the current administration. This normalisation is further compounded by the government's persistent denial of the reality of systemic racism, which has significant implications for the inclusivity and cohesiveness of our society.
The remarks made about Ms Diane Abbott MP are not only abhorrent and frightening, especially considering her status as Britain’s longest-serving Black MP and the personal impact these comments have had on her, but they also reflect a broader issue of racism and sexism that cannot be ignored. The donation of £10m to the Conservative Party by Mr Hester and his company, under these circumstances, becomes a matter of ethical concern and raises questions about the integrity and values that the Party wishes to uphold.
We, therefore, call on you, the Prime Minister and the Conservative Party to take immediate and tangible steps to address this situation. This includes a clear statement that the Conservative Party does not endorse racism in any form and is committed to taking a stand against it.
We also urge your government to engage in a more meaningful dialogue on systemic racism, acknowledging its existence and working collaboratively with communities and organisations to dismantle these deep-seated inequities.
We note that you have celebrated the diversity of your cabinet and government. We would invite you to take this opportunity to champion the cause of anti-racism and to lead by example, demonstrating that the UK government is unequivocally committed to fighting racism and fostering a society where equality, respect, and inclusivity are paramount.
Sincerely,
David Weaver Chair Operation Black Vote
Shabna Begum CEO Runnymede Trust
Timi Okuwa, CEO of Black Equity Organisation
Jeremy Crook, CEO of Action for Race Equality
Lee Jasper Chair Alliance of Police Accountability
Zara Mohammed, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.
Viv Ahmun Co-Founder Blaksox
Lord Simon Woolley
Revd Wale Hudson-Roberts: Justice Enabler for the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Minister at John Bunyan Baptist Church, Oxford.
Dr Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion: Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
Jabeer Butt OBE CEO Race Equality Foundation
