The following was the speech I intended to give at the Structural Discrimination in the Liveable Streets Consultation debate, for some reason was not allowed to give despite putting in a request to speak at full council on the 20th of January 2021.
In the debate, I would like to state some facts and then pose some questions.
First with the facts.
Fact.
What we have is a petition with over 2,500 individuals residents of Tower Hamlets, who have stated that they have been discriminated against by the Council Contractor, PCL Consult, on the basis of their protected characteristics.
Protective characteristics, such as disability, age, gender, faith and race. Protective characteristics, protected by law, who as a group if combined make up the majority of Tower Hamlets Residents.
Fact.
The MacPherson Principle states that if a complainant feels that they have been discriminated against. It should be treated as a discriminatory incident and should be investigated as that. Something, that is not for debate.
Fact.
The Labour Party is a Parliamentary Socialist Party, what that means is, members of that Party are to operate within the law. Which also means, members are not obliged to follow collective decisions if they involve illegal activity, activities such as discriminating against people on the basis of their protective characteristics.
Fact
A manifesto is a commitment to principles, that is not the same as agreeing to details, details which contradict the anti-discrimination provisions within the Labour Party constitution.
Fact.
Speaking to residents behind the petition, this is not the end but a starting point. If an adequate answer to their complaints against discrimination is not given, then they will take the matter to forums where it is heard. Knocking on doors continuously, till a remedy is given to their injury.
For the arc of the moral universe is long, but it inevitably bends towards justice.
Now the questions.
Question.
Are we saying that the views of a minority, who earn above the Borough average, who by the accident of birth do not have to suffer the indignity of overcrowding, child poverty or working in poverty are privileged over the struggling majority who live in this Borough?
Before members of this chamber answer that question, I will ask them to take a hard look in the mirror and consider their reply.
Question.
Are we going to govern in their name, face the moment of truth and address their complaints?
Or are we going to be inspired by Marie Antoinette and say, ‘Let them ride bikes!’
And we all know what happened to Marie Antoinette.
Recent Comments