Shaun’s Bailey’s time has come

Shaun Bailey may not thank me for this next statement, but; I’m glad he didn’t win at the 2010 General Election. Like most people, but perhaps particularly politicians who thought they might win something and then came up short, their self-confidence entwined with an often overinflated ego are forced to self reflect, reassess, have a heart to heart with oneself.

Perhaps the most famous here, in recent times was that of Michael Portillo. As Cabinet member for Margaret Thatcher’s and then John Major’s Conservative Government Portillo gave the demeanor that he was born to rule. He seemed to sneer at those he deemed were inferior to him. This pompous façade equally led him to vote in the House against Gay and Lesbian equality even though he himself was hiding a past in which he had had a long ‘friendship’ with a university friend. His Enfield Constituency defeat in 1997 by the young Steven Twigg was the most cheered and celebrated of all the whole General election night results.

But it was in defeat that Portillio abandoned the puffed up persona and found the truer self. He listened more, he lamented his former self, and he began to use his clear intellect to speak greater 'truth to power.' And on that route to Damascus he became more likeable, more engaging individual. For Portillio and others, sometimes when you lose, you win.

But back to Shaun Bailey. Back in the 2009-2010 Bailey often said the things he thought his party wanted to hear. He often say:

Black people stop complaining. Actually, it’s not about race, it’s about class."

Much of the Tory party loved him for that; one of our own beating us with the ‘lazy stick’. Furthermore, had he won back then we may have had more of same.

In defeat however, and particularly his experience of continuing to work in the community whilst working in both number 10 and the Cabinet Office, Bailey at last found his own voice. The difference couldn’t be more startling.

He still continued to inspire and push Black to be strong and do our best, but now it was more and more honest conversation. He argued:

Yes, sadly racism in our society still persists. And ten times more so if you’re young and Black."

And perhaps in reference to his own frustration, he equally and rightly highlighted the fact that:

We’ve also got to deal with the lack of opportunities for those Black people who are aspiring for top jobs too."

With his ability to still create a headline, and his clear access to the Prime Minister, Shaun Bailey’s time may have come. The PM, David Cameron is under increasing attack for society’s lack of social mobility. Most new MP’s from all sides of the political divide rarely come from Shaun’s working class background, much less if their Conservative candidates. Cameron has now been heard telling his BME MP’s and candidates to:

Be yourself. Your cultural identity is in part your unique selling point."

Cameron knows if he is to stand a chance of wining a second term, his party has to have a much wider appeal. A more humble, a more honest Shaun Bailey easily fits that bill.

In recent days Tory party bosses were impressed with Bailey's ability to bridge divides which he articulated during a debate on Radio 4. Bailey told the presenter:

Young Black men had lost trust with a police force that had too often treated them unfairly. But I would see this Plebgate affair as an opportunity for the both the Government, the Police and the Black community. Get the relationship right, more equitable and fair, and Black men will not only have respect, but actually they may even think about joining the police."

A prominent Black Conservative who is not afraid to talk about persistent race equality will be a great asset to his party and to the wider public debate to confront racism. Of course they/we should counter against Shaun only talking about race, which in many respects is more about lazy journalism, labeling politicians than anything else.

Let’s hope Bailey continues, where necessary, to speak out and above all wins the all important nomination for one of the  Conservative's safest  seats of Croydon South. The Conservatives and our democracy would be a stronger institutions for it.

Simon Woolley