Natasha Irons MP highlights the significance of diverse representation in Parliament and reflects on Chamber UK’s and SME4Labour’s relaunch of the prestigious Diversity Night reception at the Labour Party Conference.
Natasha Irons
Member of Parliament for Croydon East“And to those who say that the only way to love your country is to hate your neighbour because they look different – I say, not only do we reject you, but we know that you will never win. Because the British values we stand for – not just the rule of law, but a love for this country and our neighbours; the respect for difference under the same flag – that is stronger than bricks and you know it. It’s what you cannot stand about our country – our reasonable, tolerant country – but it is absolutely who we are.” – Sir Keir Starmer, Speech at the Labour Party Conference
It should not be remarkable for a Prime Minister to utterly reject the division and racism that played out on some of our streets over the summer. It should not be remarkable for the leader of our country to seek to celebrate the differences in our communities rather than exploit them. And it should not be remarkable for any politician to call out racism. But to many of us, it felt like it was.
After over a decade of political failure to deliver on basics like housing, our NHS, and public safety, it has felt like some political figures have sought to blame others for their inability to get things done. ‘Othering’ more and more groups, in an attempt to use them as the short answer for the complex questions about where our country needs to go next, has made celebrating our nation’s diversity feel like a thing of the past. So, it felt good to hear our Prime Minister be unafraid to speak in support of the “difference under the same flag” that has been the true story of our country for generations.
With this in mind, it was wonderful to be able to attend the 1987 Committee’s Diversity night reception during the Conference. It was an opportunity to celebrate Labour’s return to power, but also to recognise the contribution of Black and Asian members and activists to this historic result. Hearing the stories of fellow new MPs, Bayo Alaba and David Burton-Sampson, and the reflections of Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, highlighted the breadth of talent we have in our Party.
Having a Parliament that reflects the country it seeks to represent has both a practical and moral impact on our politics. It means more lived experience features in the decisions that are made, and it allows our citizens to see people who look like them in positions of power. This may seem a small thing, but my own journey into politics is an example of how big an impact representation can have. Because although my family were always political, we didn’t think that being involved in politics was for people like us. It wasn’t until I turned eighteen – when my MP invited a group of us to Parliament to watch a debate and I saw Oona King, an MP who looked like me, sitting on the green benches – that I thought maybe politics could be something I could be involved in.
With 66 Labour MPs now from Black, Asian, and Minority ethnic backgrounds, we are part of the most diverse Parliament in history. This is a huge step and a huge opportunity for our Party. Because across our movement, from activists to local councillors to those in Parliament, our Party is full of diverse talent and experience. With the work of organisations like the 1987 Committee, we have the opportunity to finally harness this talent and use it to deliver the change we know our communities desperately need.
This is just one of the articles that will feature in the next edition of the Chamber UK journal. To receive exclusive pictures of the event and insight from our keynote speakers include Bayo Alaba MP, Johanna Baxter MP, Bill Esterson MP, and many more, sign up to our newsletter below!
