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Patchwork organised a high level husting event on Monday 13th April hosted and sponsored by KPMG with three of the leading parties which was attended by over 150 leading youth, women and community stakeholders from under representatives communities including (UpRisers from UpRising, mentors from Mosaic, Parliamentor from 3FF and community organisers from Citizens UK) to find out more what each party will do to deliver the changes they want to see if they vote for them.
Following a Question Time format the event was chaired by BBC Radio 5 Live’s Chief Political Correspondent and Patchwork Patron John Pienaar and panel included
Rt Hon Chris Grayling – Secretary of State for Justice – Conservative Party
Chuka Umunna – Shadow Business Secretary – Labour Party
Rt Hon Ed Davey – Secretary of State for Climate Change and Energy – Liberal Democrats
The event was covered by multiple ethnic media channels including Black, African, Indian, Pakistani, Somalian and Turkish stations and was featured on Radio 5 and London Live. Each MP draft a tweet about why the BME community should vote for their party and wrote articles for Patchwork which was published online by The Times RedBox.
John Pienaar said:
“I’ve never seen an election campaign like this one, and the result may turn out to be unlike any we’ve ever seen. Politics has rarely been as unpredictable, and never as fragmented, as it is today. Multi-party politics has arrived, and to politics watchers it is absolutely fascinating. Trouble is, few of us are politics watchers. In fact, many of us know little and care even less about the whole business. Faith, trust and interest in the ways of the political parties has faded at the same rate as disappointment and disgust with our politicians has risen. Blame the “expenses scandal”, if you like, blame the Iraq war if you choose. Blame the perception of party politicians as an out of touch , self serving elite. Whatever your analysis, our democracy is decaying. And this is doubly true of so many minority, and under privileged and generally unrepresented sections of our society. This used to be the stuff of worthy essays and academic seminars. Not now. The problem is urgent, and could fairly be described as a crisis. Yes there’s a duty on all of us to pay attention. It’s our country, after all. But there’s an equally urgent obligation on our politicians to reach out, make contact, and reclaim their legitimacy. That’s what these hustings were all about.”
Chuka Umunna said:
“Only if people of every race, colour and creed can succeed in Britain can our country succeed in the 21st century. Labour’s belief that every member of our different BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) communities can realise their potential is a powerful reason for anyone to vote Labour, not just those in BAME communities.”
Chris Grayling said:
“There are now more people in work than ever before – and the number of ethnic minority people in work is up over a fifth since 2010, with an extra 570,000 people in work. That’s over half a million more people with financial security who are better able to look after their family.”
Ed Davey said:
“I believe we are the party (Liberal Democrats) who best represent those from BAME backgrounds – the party most committed to creating a fairer society for those who are less well off. This isn’t an empty statement but a statement which can be backed up by our record in government”
Marianne Fallon, KPMG Partner and Head of Corporate Affairs said:
“We were delighted to host this Hustings event at our Canada Square office especially given it is one of the closest elections in recent times. It was a great opportunity for young people from disengaged under representative communities to find out more from each of the three main parties on what each can outline and discuss to improve their potential. As a large employer, based in one of the poorer boroughs in the country, we know the importance of engagement across all sections of society and the need to engage in a meaningful dialogue at this key time.”
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