The Labour Party have produced a Race and Faith Manifesto.
In the introduction to this plan, Jeremy Corbyn, Labour Party leader, writes:
Labour is the Party of equality. We were built on the values of social justice, internationalism and human rights. Our values are rooted in the fundamental truth that whatever your background, wherever you are from, you should have the means and opportunity to fulfil your potential.
Theresa May and the Conservatives have failed to stand up for race equality. Their policies in government have turned back the clock, with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities being denied opportunities to flourish and succeed.
People continue to be treated unfairly due to their gender, ethnicity, faith, sexuality, gender identity or disability. The recent rise in hate crimes, including Anti-Semitic, Islamophobic attacks and increased attacks against other faith communities, underscores how far we still have to go.
Labour will repair the damage done by the Conservatives which has sown the seeds of division in our communities. Spending cuts have been a political choice by the Conservatives. Labour will not scapegoat our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities nor blame them for the economic failures of the Conservatives. Labour will bring our country together. Only we can be trusted to unlock the talent of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people, who have been held back by the Conservatives.
This manifesto sets out our key pledges and policies for eliminating racial inequality from our economy and society. We will guarantee equality is at the heart of our programme for government. Labour will implement a comprehensive strategy for racial equality, one that effectively challenges the socio-economic disadvantage many Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities suffer. We will work every day for a fairer society, where every person is enabled to get on in life, regardless of race, faith or ethnicity.
Don’t let the Conservatives hold Britain back.
Let’s build a Britain that works for the many, not the few.
The manifesto can be read in full here, but here are some excerpts that may be of interest.
Brexit and Human Rights
Britain is a modern multicultural democracy that has benefited tremendously from the historic contributions of people all around the world. The vote to leave the European Union could have a wide ranging impact on the issues of race and equality in Britain.
Theresa May has threatened to weaken, if not abolish altogether racial equality legislation derived from the European Convention of Human Rights. Devastating cuts by the Conservatives to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reveal their real attitude to issues of equality and discrimination. Labour will enhance the powers and functions of the Commission, making it truly independent, to ensure it can support ordinary working people to effectively challenge any discrimination they may face.
Labour will defend the 1998 Human Rights Act and advance human rights legislation by incorporating the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination into British law. With a Labour government, Britain will remain a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights. Labour will work to remove barriers preventing people from achieving their potential.
Stronger, Safer and Cohesive Communities
Labour is the party of equality. We seek to build a society and world free from all forms of Racism, Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
Since the European referendum campaign, there has been a sharp increase in the number of racially or religiously aggravated offences recorded by the police. This is unacceptable. A Labour government will take robust action against violence and hate crime, developing a crossdepartment strategy to deliver strong and cohesive communities, and will recruit 10,000 more police officers to work on community beats.
Labour shares the concerns of public sector professionals and security services, that the Prevent programme may be counter-productive and undermining community cohesion. Our approach will be community based and intelligence led. Labour will review Prevent with a view to assessing both its effectiveness and its potential to alienate minority communities. We will address the Conservatives’ failure to take any effective new measures against a growing problem of extreme or violent radicalisation.
Anti-Semitism is an evil which led to the worst crimes of the twentieth century. Every one of us has a responsibility to ensure that it is never allowed to fester in our society again. Commissioning a report on our own Party was an unprecedented step in British politics, demonstrating a commitment to tackling bigotry and prejudice wherever it is found. Labour has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance “working definition” of AntiSemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of AntiSemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
We will strengthen our communities’ rights to practice their religion free from persecution. We will defend the right to wear all forms of religious and other dress of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and many others. We will end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, whatever their ethnicity, culture or background, whether settled or mobile, and protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life.
LABOUR WILL:
- Take robust action against violence and hate crime, developing a crossdepartment strategy to deliver strong and cohesive communities, and recruit 10,000 more police officers to work on community beats.
- Review the Prevent programme with a view of assessing its effectiveness and potential to alienate minority communities.
- Develop new effective measures, which are community-based and intelligence-led to reverse the dangerous growing problem of extreme or violent radicalisation.
Better Representation in Public Life
Our Democracy
Although 12 per cent of the population is from Black and Asian Backgrounds, they remain underrepresented in our democracy and public life.
At present there are 41 non-white MPs elected to the House of Commons, 6.3 per cent of all 650 MPs. If the non-white population were represented proportionally in the House of Commons, there would be around 84 Black and Asian MPs. Over the last Parliament, Labour had more Black, Asian and ethnic minority MPs in parliament than all the other political parties. We have the most diverse shadow cabinet Parliament has even seen. We are proud of this legacy, but we must acknowledge there is still a long way to go. Labour will launch a consultation into racial diversity of representation across the party. We will develop a new leadership and training programme for future Black and Asian local government and parliamentary candidates.
Diversity in the media
Diversity in the media is vital as we need to reflect and represent the whole of the UK.
Corporations such as the BBC with their Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2016 – 2020, and Channel 4’s 360° Diversity Charter are making commitments to bring forward diversity and disability as key elements of their future strategy to achieve a truly reflective media in today’s diverse British society. A Labour government will continue to work with the media to encourage and support further inclusion and opportunities celebrating Britain’s diverse community.
LABOUR WILL:
- Launch a consultation into racial diversity of representation across the party and develop a new leadership and training programme for future Black and Asian local government and parliamentary candidates.
- Continue to work with the media to encourage and support further inclusion and opportunities celebrating Britain’s diverse communities.