For many years I have worked in areas of severe deprivation in Kent and East London. The electoral success of the BNP should not be over-estimated, but why has it increased its vote and won elections? The simple answer, now recognised by central government, is that the white poor working (or non-working) class perceives it has been ignored by the major political parties whilst funding has been poured in to support ethnic minority and migrant groups.
Of course the perception is inaccurate, there are sound reasons why support has been and should be provided for migrant and ethnic minority groups. The problem has been the lack of recognition by government of the problems faced by all poor people, regardless of the diverse group they belong to. I regard the poor white working class as a diverse group and I note central government is insisting now that this is the case.
John Denham (Communities and Local Government Minister) said:
We can only challenge racism and race inequality effectively as part of a strategy that tackles all forms of inequality. This must include poorer white working class communities as well as disadvantaged minority ethic communities.
Agencies which have been blind to these issues, or thought their only remit was to address minority issues, must reassess the way they work.
I love that final paragraph. Over the years I have been berating local authorities and organisations in the 'race industry' on their collective failure to tackle the the problems in poor white working class areas. Now, I am flavour of the month!
My hope is that this sea-change in the approach is not simply a cynical government reaction to the BNP's electoral threat, but a change posited by the clear evidence of disadvantage faced by poor white working class communities.
Of course the perception is inaccurate, there are sound reasons why support has been and should be provided for migrant and ethnic minority groups. The problem has been the lack of recognition by government of the problems faced by all poor people, regardless of the diverse group they belong to. I regard the poor white working class as a diverse group and I note central government is insisting now that this is the case.
John Denham (Communities and Local Government Minister) said:
We can only challenge racism and race inequality effectively as part of a strategy that tackles all forms of inequality. This must include poorer white working class communities as well as disadvantaged minority ethic communities.
Agencies which have been blind to these issues, or thought their only remit was to address minority issues, must reassess the way they work.
I love that final paragraph. Over the years I have been berating local authorities and organisations in the 'race industry' on their collective failure to tackle the the problems in poor white working class areas. Now, I am flavour of the month!
My hope is that this sea-change in the approach is not simply a cynical government reaction to the BNP's electoral threat, but a change posited by the clear evidence of disadvantage faced by poor white working class communities.
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