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'Minorities not involved in UK society'

Saturday, 25 April 2015 4:03 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 25 April 2015 4:13 PM ]

UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s latest election promise that the first black or Asian prime minister will be a Conservative has once again given new life to debates over the conditions of minorities in the country.

Setting out his vision to increase the number of black and Asian students, apprentices, entrepreneurs and police and armed forces personnel, Cameron said he was also setting ambitions for the Conservatives.

Cameron made the statement in a speech on opportunities for ethnic minorities Britons. He pledged to boost minorities’ ethnic jobs, university places and police recruits by 2020.

Observers say such statements are just part of an election campaign to gain more votes ahead of the general elections on May 7.

“I don't think ethnic minorities in this country are enjoying all their rights. If you look at the levels of employment and crime rate, and you know, education levels, and also how many coalition policies have impacted disproportionately many people from ethnic minority communities, I wouldn't say they are enjoying all their rights,” London-based political commentator Raza Nadim told Press TV.

He expressed deep concerns over the discriminations that the minorities are facing in the society, saying :” I think it is quite shocking that when you look at the numbers of ethnic minority politicians and the people involved in politics but I think that’s wider indicator of the society, people do see themselves being very disengaged.”

He went on noting that politicians need to talk about real issues adding it’s a bit appalling and offending to be honest to think that just because you know, an ethnic minority community will see a black or brown face standing up.

“That’s not what people care about, people care about real issues they don’t look at the color of the person raising the issues. These things don’t matter to them,” he siad.

The commentator emphasized that such statements are insulting as they downplay the intelligence of communities and said, people don’t need rhetoric.

“We need the politicians to sit down and talk to the communities about the issues that matter to them and treat them like adults,” he said.

He called for a change in politicians’ approach towards people and said:” There needs to be a change in attitude and an honest conversation, and unfortunately we don’t think we've seen that yet. “

MTM/MH

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