BAME and ‘crass’ lockdown comments by Craig Whittaker MP risk extremism – Yorkshire Post Letters

AS a resident of Calderdale, I am appalled by the crass intervention by Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker in the debate about the recent lockdown. The Sage sub group, considering a report of research prepared for the group in July, have warned we are in a ‘complex and highly volatile situation’. The report authors describe a ‘sense of racial injustice, discrimination and inequality’ among BAME communities which have been disproportionately hit by the virus. They note how ‘extreme right wing groups are mobilising on a scale not seen for a decade’, and that ‘a scapegoating of various communities and a sense of inequality or grievance about localised lockdowns could also stoke flames’.

This situation requires real leadership yet – into this mix – our MP chooses to spray petrol. No mention of the inevitable results of pub openings, lack of social distancing on crowded local beaches, illicit raves etc.

There is simply no evidence that BAME communities (who incidentally are also his constituents) are any more culpable of ignoring the covid messaging, confusing though it is, than the white population locally.

Moreover they have been employed in front line services where they are exposed to higher risk (and which would have collapsed without them).

It is so easy to stoke up those attitudes: much harder to provide real leadership and support community cohesion.

From: Robert A Binns, Oakworth, Keighley.

WHILST the reasons for changes cannot be argued against in an effort to protect us all, the Government needs to be careful so as not to alienate the people it wishes to protect by imposing these changes at such short notice (Andrew Vine, The Yorkshire Post, August 4).

These recent changes contrast with the weeks of notice given before reopening bars and restaurants, and the imposition of wearing face masks in shops.

If the measures are to work, the Government needs to carry the goodwill of the population to abide by them and this can only be achieved by not treating people with contempt. As an afterthought, would the Government, in similar circumstances, have informed the country at 9.15pm on Christmas Eve that the following day’s family celebrations would not be allowed to go ahead?

From: Zainab Gulamali, Public Affairs Manager, Muslim Council of Britain.

ON Friday, we were appalled and disgusted by the comments of Craig Whittaker, MP for Calder Valley, claiming ethnic minority communities do not take the pandemic seriously and are responsible for the spikes we’ve seen in parts of northern England.

We waited for Conservative colleagues to speak out and condemn him, and disappointingly, we are still waiting (The Yorkshire Post, August 1).

I, therefore, wanted to thank your political editor, Rob Parsons, for questioning the Prime Minister on this. This intervention by yourself was essential for understanding where the Government stands on the scapegoating of minorities. Its position, the views of Mr Whittaker and the decision by Conservative colleagues to not speak out against this is regrettable and certainly speaks volumes.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor.