LEEDS MP REJECTS GOVERNMENT 'GIMMICK' TO REBRAND ETHNIC MINORITIES
October 8, 2005 12:00 AM
Commenting in The Times, Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, voiced his opposition to the Government's latest proposals which would rename ethnic minority groups.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears, is proposing to rename ethnic minority groups along US lines which could see ethnic minorities described as, for example "Asian British" rather than simply "Asian" or "Muslim". The plan to adopt the American practice of identifying ethnic heritage has been met with opposition from representatives of the Muslim Parliament and the Muslim Council of Britain.
Many leaders of the Muslim community gave warning that identifying people by their ethnic background would create racial ghettos and dismissed the idea as a retrograde step that looked at people in terms of colour.
As MP for Leeds North West, where the July 7 suicide bombers had their so-called 'bomb factory', Greg was asked to comment on the latest attempts by the Government to take seriously claims that some second-generation Asians are finding it difficult to identify with either Britain or the country of their roots.
Commenting in The Times, Greg said:
"It's not remotely helpful. I think it's another gimmick. I'm afraid we need some rather more intelligent and far-reaching solutions."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats