Sayeeda Warsi: Tories must do more for Black communities

In one of her most candid interviews to date, Conservative Foreign Office Minister, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi informed the Eastern Eye newspaper that:

The Conservative Party still has a problem attracting BME voters."

In a passionate plea to her own Party she demands:

We must do more to reach out, to listen, to engage with issues that matter."

Warsi along with other senior Conservatives are well aware what is at stake for political parties who fail to win the hearts and minds of BME voters in the forth coming European Election and the 2015 General Election. OBV’s research, which highlighted 168 marginal seats that could be decided by the BME vote, has propelled senior politicians from all sides of the House to renew their efforts to engage with our communities.

Speaking specifically about Muslim communities Warsi admitted:

We are not looking like an attractive party to Muslims.’

Warsi has been one of the few senior BME Conservative politicians who have consistently challenged her own party whilst still being a loyal Conservative member. Recounting her own journey within the Party she explains:

This has always been the party to give people opportunities, and allow them to work their way to better opportunities. My party is the party of aspiration."

There is no doubt that Warsi and other politicians from all sides of the House will begin in earnest their charm offensive to win the BME vote. We in our communities must be ready to respond with both policy demands and the clear intent to register to vote and vote on any polling day.

Simon Woolley