“To be clear, contempt and disrespect will be the only thing that many Black voters will feel regarding Starmer’s stance towards Black communities especially of late.”
By Richard Sudan, The Voice
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has now officially confirmed that the general election will be held on July 4th, just six weeks from now.
He announced the shock snap election outside 10 Downing Street, in the pouring rain, abruptly ending long held predictions that voters would head to the polls in autumn as many had speculated.
Scrutiny
In recent months Sunak has come under intense scrutiny over the government’s handling of numerous crises’ with many analysts suggesting that the Labour party would be heading for a landslide victory, with the Tories looking set for defeat.
Regardless, Prime Minister Sunak has now fired the starting gun on a race which was always going to be fought along bitter lines.
The Tories are increasingly viewed by observers as a party without a plan using a culture war to distract from the failure and havoc caused by 14 years of austerity.
Sir Keir Starmer has responded to the announcement by repeating his mantra that his party offers change and is ready to govern.
While this might appeal to some voters, the big question for many Black voters is just how loyal should Black communities remain to a Labour party which has recently shown near total contempt to a voter base that has traditionally provided rock-solid support?
To be clear, contempt and disrespect will be the only thing that many Black voters will feel regarding Starmer’s stance towards Black communities especially of late.
After four years in charge of Labour Keir Starmer monumentally dropped the ball regarding plans for a long-awaited race equality act announced earlier this year.
Forced
Years in the making, the eventual unveiling of the plan seemed last minute and forced, offering little more than low-hanging fruit. Much of the plan is already enshrined in law and can be enforced under existing equalities legislation.
To rub salt into the wound, Black media, including The Voice, were subsequently prevented from attending its launch, which was widely viewed as a disaster.
Another major issue for many in our communities is the treatment of Black MPs, in particular Diane Abbott.
Where Labour have failed to make sufficient progress in numerous critical areas, Abbott has remained a champion for many issues including the safeguarding of Black children, the challenges faced by Black boys and the underachievement of Black students in school.
In addition to this, Abbott has been a life-long anti-racism campaigner, and has opposed many of the wars which have made Labour unpopular over the years.
Abbott was also a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn who many feel is the closest Black people and other communities on the margin have had to a potential ally in Downing Street.
Reinstated
With the election now around the corner many will be watching to see if Abbott will be reinstated by Labour or if she will remain suspended – which many view as unjust – subjected to a never-ending investigation.
Critics say the process is designed to prevent her from standing for Labour in the constituency she has represented since 1987. They are right.
It’s not just about Abbott, but her fate will provide a litmus test for many undecided voters as to whether they can trust Labour in government, or whether their support will be taken for granted.
Indeed, a poll conducted previously by The Voice showed 80% black voters could ditch Labour over the treatment of Abbott.
This was then followed by the Frank Hester scandal and the Tory Party donor’s comment that Abbott made him hate all black women.
The outrage which ensued sparked important conversations about the safety of black women in Britain. Here was a chance to show some leadership and stand unequivocally with Abbott.
But the lack of solidarity towards Abbott from Starmer and Labour following the revelation of Hester’s words, and the sublime opportunism displayed by fundraising from her treatment, instead left a bitter taste in the mouth for many.
Culture war rhetoric
Many Black voters will also be alarmed at Starmer’s increasing willingness to cosy up to the Union Jack, embrace culture war rhetoric, while offering no bold reassurance that Labour will protect existing equality policies while pushing bold new ones.
The wider picture beyond this is that Black communities have been hit the hardest by a cost of living crisis which was exacerbated by the pandemic.
We need a prime minister who challenges inequality at the root particularly around, housing, employment, health and the criminal justice system.
Black voters will be unlikely to turn out for the Conservatives. The party’s long track record of anti-Black racism is well-documented.
Disillusioned Black voters who abandon Labour won’t switch to the Tories, they’ll just stay home.
Disaster
This could prove a disaster for Labour, as the party might not be as far ahead in the polls as analysts suggest and the black vote in marginal seats could yet prove critical.
Starmer still needs the Black vote, whether he likes it or not. Right now, I think he’s on course to see it drastically slashed, but if he is serious about winning the election and serious about a second term he has 6 weeks to win it back.
The immediate reinstatement of Diane Abbott could be a start. A concrete commitment and plan to tackle entrenched inequality evidenced in the Black British Voices survey could be another step.
Committing to ending the hierarchy of racism within Labour, shown by the Forde Report would be another. Finally confronting the undeniable reality of institutional racism within the police is vital.
Black voters are watching and will consider their options carefully before making their choice. The stakes are too high for anything less.
- This article was originally published by The Voice on May 23rd, 2024.
- Richard Sudan is a journalist for The Voice, Britain’s only Black national newspaper. You can follow him on Twitter/X here.
- You can sign a petition to Keir Starmer calling on him to restore the whip to Diane Abbott here.
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