PM accepts OBV’s race equality agenda...in part

The devil is always in the detail, but we must be positive about one particularly aspect in announcement heralded yesterday by the Prime Minister David Cameron in his briefing to journalist about how to tackle extremism.

According to Radio 4’s leading political correspondent Chris Mason, the PM made clear that as part of the Governments plan to confront extremism, the senior civil servant Louise Casey will lead a review into how “young people from BME communities can be given more opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of our country”.

During the 2015 General Election campaign, one of OBV’s main manifesto demands was to have a ‘review’ across all Governmental departments about the progress or lack of it, in regards to tackling inequality and lack of opportunity for BME communities.

Shortly after the election OBV and other BME NGO’s such as Runnymede Trust and faith groups once again wrote to the PM arguing that ‘if extremism is to be effectively tackled and broader BME potential is to be unleashed, then we need to have a review across Government departments to better understand what has and hasn’t worked.’ After the review we can have an effective plan.

In the last few days, the PM has asked the Parliamentary under Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government, Baroness Williams to directly respond to the BME groups.

In her letter Baroness Williams of Trafford wrote:

I am grateful to you for setting out your ideas and proposals on these issues so clearly. ...I am sure you understand that we are still in the early stage in the Government and want to give full consideration to our policy approaches to equalities, integration and tackling disadvantage".

It is really important that the Government look at the many dynamics that are part of the narrative around young people’s journey to alienation and extremism, in doing so we not only cut off the oxygen that fuels extremism, but we simultaneously open up greater opportunities for all BME individuals to full fill their potential and positively shape a more prosperous, more inclusive society.

Simon Woolley