Britain has travelled a long way in achieving equality, diversity in its political make up
Ishtiaq Ahmed
Much has been achieved but maybe not enough. It is possible that one day a non- white Briton would become the Prime Minister of Britain but is that time now? Maybe not! Rishi Sunak has emerged as the leading likely candidate amongst the conservative parliamentary party but how would he fair amongst the conservative party members?
The race for the selection of the Conservative Party leader who would also become the Prime Minister of the Britain, has entered into the final lap with the two remaining candidates namely Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss , both with credible portfolios , having served in the cabinet of the outing going Prime Minister, respectively as the Chancellor of Exchequer and the Foreign Secretary.
At the start, with the resignation of Boris Johnson in June 2022 , following the ‘party gate’ scandal, eleven conservative members of parliament declared their intentions to enter the race to become the party leader and the Prime Minister of one of the world’s foremost nations. These eleven were:
Kemi Badenoch ( Minister for Local Government, Faith and Communities), Suella Braverman
Whatever the final outcome of this intriguing contest, it is most encouraging to see the diversity of Britain being reflected at the highest level. The fact that approaching 15 per cent of the UK population are people of Black, Asian and minority ethnic heritage, who have come to make Britain their home , are able to aspire to become the Prime Minister of one of the most influential and powerful nations of the world, is a significant achievement.
Also the fact that this is happening through the conservative party, considered to be on the right of the British politics, and the custodian of the privilege and the status, is even more amazing. It would be right to say that this could only happen in Britain.
The process for the selection of the Party Leader who will also become the Prime Minister of the nation, was instigated by the Conservative Party’s powerful 1922 committee following the resignation of the outgoing Prime Minister.
The 1922 committee entirely comprises of the conservative backbench MPs. It meets on a weekly basis, when the Parliament is in the session , to discuss party policy and business matters independent of the ‘frontbenchers’. The committee also plays an important role in choosing of the party leader. It would be true to say that 1922 Committee has come to symbolise the conscientious and the spirit of the rank and file of the conservative members.
Accordingly, following the resignation of the outgoing Prime Minister (Boris Johnson), the 1922 committee approved the process for the choosing of the new party leader/ prime minister on July 11, 2022. This entailed each hopeful being able to secure 20 nominations from the existing conservative members of parliament (MPs) to be able to progress to the first ballot. Boris Johnson as the outgoing Prime Minister was not eligible for the ensuing contest.
Under the new rules for the present contest , each candidate needed at least 30 votes of the conservative MPs to avoid being dropped at the outset of the process. In each subsequent rounds that began on July 14, the candidate with the fewest votes was eliminated. From the final ballot which took place on July 20, the final two candidates, namely, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss successfully emerged to go into the final and the ultimate ballot of conservative members.
Throughout the ballots of conservative MPs, Rishi Sunak held his lead suggesting that he was the preferred candidate for the conservative parliamentary party. However, the final outcome will be decided by the 160,000 conservative members (.0.35% of the UK electorate) on the basis of one-member-one vote. The candidate receiving the majority vote will become the party leader/ prime minister.
As things stand, there is a 50-50 chance of Britain have its first non-white prime minister, for that a British Asian Prime Minister. However, we are seeing the mood of the party members, the nation and the media subtly swing towards Liz Truss. There are a number of emerging reasons for this shift of mood towards her and away from Rishi Sunak.
Firstly, in TV debates and members husting Liz is emerging as a better communicator and more perhaps more engaging whereas Rishi is more perceived as more aloof and calculated. Also, Rishi’s close association with the outgoing Prime Minister as his chancellor of exchequer is something that he is finding difficult to shrug off given that the state of nation’s economy is emerging as a key issue.
Inflation and the rising costs of living with doubling and trebling of gas and electricity prices for an average consumer is something that people associate with Rishi. His and his wife’s personal financial affairs are also being disputed. Rishi, however, prov
The fact remains that Rishi’s credentials in comparison with Liz Truss are much better, even accepting that she did extremely well as the Foreign Secretary, also, in the Boris Johnson’s cabinet. However, in terms of what the country needs at the present, Rishi’s credentials o
However, will the uneasiness about Rishi’s ethnicity amongst the conservative members , particularly , those who refuse to acknowledge that anyone other than a white Britton can be the Prime Minister of the nation, will prevail? There is no denying that Racism remains potent throughout the British society, and the conservative membership are certainly not immune to its contamination. Will this be a deciding factor?
Going by the gradual shifting of the media coverage towards Liz Truss points to the emerging consens
We will know how far Britain has travelled and whether our aspirations are realised, we will know on the 5th. September 2022. We wait eagerly in anticipation.
We have to acknowledge that British society is reformist . It is not revolutionary. However, it is encouraging to note that British minority ethnic communities seem to be overcoming their main problem of not being accommodated and accepted in the national political system after half a century. Nevertheless, the ideology of white supremacy will remain a fact to live with for much longer than we may expect. But this must not weaken our resolve to continue our struggle for mainstreaming ourselves in all spheres of life.
Political power sharing is not something which we should take it for granted and it can not be conditional. To achieve this we have to prove our worth and our commitment and loyalty both to the country and political parties which we have joined and continue to join by choice.
Any changes in the Foreign policy can not be decided by the prime minister alone. Hence it may not be possible to entertain the idea of affecting changes in the foreign policy for foreseeable future.
But to expect any constructive and positive changes in the improvement of quality of life of non-white minorities,
there is one important caveat and that is for someone who succeeds in securing position of political power, will not compromise their conscience with servility for selfish motives and attempt to show their false colours for personal political expedience and gains. The British political system is highly trained and geared to successfully use the tactics
of containing and maintaining of social peace by promoting certain individuals to positions of power to justify its policies . Simply to have a member of black and other minority communities in position of power is not enough.
However, we have to welcome the
opportunity of the first non-White prime minister who may be elected by the
Conservative Party ( about which I have my serious doubts) which may open the gate for others to follow but simultaneously have to be mindful of him not being whiter than white!
I agree Ajeeb Sahib that there is progress. British society is learning after 100 years of rule over numerous countries and than minority ethnic communities living in UK for part 70 years. I must say we need to pick up the pace. Yes Rishi as PM remain in balance and establishment is already sending negative messages more related to his family and upbringing rather than focusing on his policies. Are we ready as a country for a coloured PM?
Nasim bhai challenges are obviously there. The journey has been difficult but achievements , slow these maybe, are there to see. From the first Race Relations Act 1965 to the last Race Relations Act 2010, are important milestones on the way suggesting two important things:
1. Concerted struggle by minority communities to confront and challenge inequalities blighting their quality of life and opportunities;
2. The consistency of response by the successive governments to try to respond to mitigate the adverse impacts of racism and discrimination.
The fact that we have Sadiq Khan as the mayor of London, at 7 leading ministerial positions held by Black and Asian communities is no lesser achievements. The struggles of BAME communities in this respect are a reason for celebration.
Nasim bhai challenges are obviously there. The journey has been difficult but achievements , slow these maybe, are there to see. From the first Race Relations Act 1965 to the last Race Relations Act 2010, are important milestones on the way suggesting two important things:
1. Concerted struggle by minority communities to confront and challenge inequalities blighting their quality of life and opportunities;
2. The consistency of response by the successive governments to try to respond to mitigate the adverse impacts of racism and discrimination.
The fact that we have Sadiq Khan as the mayor of London, at 7 leading ministerial positions held by Black and Asian communities is no lesser achievements. The struggles of BAME communities in this respect are a reason for celebration.