Multi-cultural Britain in 'peril' under Boris, Lammy warns
Race and diversity was up for discussion as Labour supporters rolled out the red carpet for one of the party's big hitters to Wolverhampton.
David Lammy, who has been the MP for Tottenham since 2000, was the guest speaker at the meeting at the Wolverhampton Heritage Centre in Whitmore Reans.
He was present alongside Labour candidates Eleanor Smith, Emma Reynolds and Pat McFadden in a building that was formerly the offices of Enoch Powell.
In front of a standing room-only audience, Former government minister Mr Lammy spoke about the general election, describing it as “the most important election of our lifetimes”. And he warned that the vision of a multi-cultural Britain was in "peril" if Boris Johnson returns to Number 10.
In his 15-minute address, Mr Lammy discussed subjects including the Windrush scandal and how he stood up in Parliament for an urgent question and challenged then-Home Secretary Amber Rudd about the lives being affected by the scandal.
He also spoke on what he described as the “hostile environment”, including the language being used and the idea of a pecking order and hierarchy, telling the packed room: “We have earned the right to be British and we will not be second class citizens in our own country.”
The speech also drew on unemployment in areas such as Wolverhampton, and questioned why public schools seemed to get funding and opportunities, while public authorities in cities like Wolverhampton had faced cuts.
Wolverhampton South West candidate Ms Smith spoke of how she was the first black West Midlands MP, stating there should have been someone before her.
Ms Reynolds, Labour's candidate in Wolverhampton North East, criticised the "systematic targeting" of people during the Windrush scandal, while Mr McFadden noted the symbolism of holding the meeting in the Heritage Centre.
Mr Lammy was questioned by the audience on black stereotyping, the Lammy Review he was asked to put together by David Cameron on the treatment of Black, Asian and ethnic minority individuals in the criminal justice system, the "inequality" of stop and search and the language being used by Boris Johnson.
He also spoke about Brexit, stating it was not the only issue facing the country and was just a small part of the overall issues needing to be addressed during the general election.
He said: “I think the audience were raising really important issues which are not just issues for Wolverhampton, but are being raised across the country.
“We need a Labour government and that’s the message that I’ve brought and I’ve talked about issues that matter, such as Windrush, housing, youth and employment, issues which are very important.
“Diversity is the key to our country and I think the vision of a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic country is in peril if we re-elect Boris Johnson.”
Mr McFadden said: “I feel you could see from the reaction of a very big crowd here that many people in the Afro-Caribbean community see David as a real role model and someone who has raised significant issues in a strong way.
“It was clear from the audience the high regard in which he’s held.”
Ms Smith said: “This was about getting our people out to vote and get other people to vote as well. David spoke about what was in the manifesto, the work he was doing and how he was in there fighting, which are the most important things.”
Ms Reynolds said: “We are all motivated by giving every child the very best start in life, regardless of their background and that’s what the Labour Party has been about tonight, equality.
“Not just for opportunity, but we also heard very passionately from David about his work about the criminal justice system and the recommendations he was asked to give from a Conservative Prime Minister.”
Mohammed Naseem was part of the audience and said that the passion shown by Mr Lammy could help with issues concerning him, particularly Brexit.
He said: “There’s a number of issues concerning me, with the biggest one being Brexit, thinking about how we’re going to move forward as a country.
“I hope the Labour Party can help with clearing the uncertainty. They do have a plan and it’s up to the public to decide if it’s a credible plan, and people like David Lammy can help with the debate.”
