Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter campaign.
Like you, I was deeply shocked by the killing of George Floyd in the United States and totally understand the anger and grief that is felt not just in America but here in the UK in response to that awful tragedy. I am pleased to note that charges have been laid against the police officers involved.
The scenes we have witnessed from the United States are very worrying and while, in the wake of this killing, racial divisions in the US are plain to see, it is also incumbent on us to use this moment to look with renewed vigour at how black people are treated here in the UK. Racism is abhorrent. It has no place in our communities and we all have a part to play in tackling it. The wealth of diversity across our country should be something to be celebrated.
I have been heartened by the solidarity shown in the UK, whether that be by colleagues in the Parliamentary community, the lighting purple of buildings or people from many walks of life ‘taking a knee’. I have also been struck by the number of British people wanting to demonstrate their support for the Black Lives Matter campaign and I fully support the right to protest lawfully. The UK has a proud tradition of peaceful protest and it is a right of all citizens. I understand why so many feel such a clear desire to make their voices heard after the death of George Floyd. However, during the current pandemic it is important those that do protest do so while observing social distancing. Protesters are putting their lives and the lives of others at risk as we should be in no doubt about the threat of this awful virus. As the Prime Minister has made very clear, protesters have no right to attack the police. We have all seen scenes of thuggery and violence by some in the crowds. Let me be clear, those responsible will be held to account.
The strength of feeling in the wake of George Floyd’s killing serves as a reminder that there can be no let-up in the work that remains to be done here in the UK to tackle racism and discrimination in all forms.
There are some good national and local initiatives out there with great people involved in them. There are also well-established mechanisms in place in Whitehall and the police to address racially motivated discrimination, improve policing and stamp out racist bullying in schools, some of these flowing from a Hate Crime Action Plan (which you can read more about here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/hate-crime-action-plan-2016). At this time, we must not only draw on these resources, but also examine whether they are sufficient.
I am appalled by the racism experienced by those in the BAME community and I will continue to support efforts made to end racism.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Kind regards, Alister