Body & Soul3 mins ago
This is the BBC news .......
The Headlines - After a close fought election , history has been made and the British people have elected it's first black Prime Minister ....
How likely is the above to be an actuality , in the near future , do you think ? ( black / asian / chinese ..... i.e. non white )
How likely is the above to be an actuality , in the near future , do you think ? ( black / asian / chinese ..... i.e. non white )
Answers
1 to 16 of 16
Best Answer
No best answer has yet been selected by Bazile. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.
For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
Margaret Thatcher always said there would not be a woman prime minister in her lifetime. Then she became PM.
As long as a black MP was seen as a sound person, like say Trevor McDonald, then I see no reason why there should not be a black prime minister.
A black MP with a chip on their shoulder about colour and race would be unlikely to get widespread support.
I think it is unlikely for 10 years or more.
As long as a black MP was seen as a sound person, like say Trevor McDonald, then I see no reason why there should not be a black prime minister.
A black MP with a chip on their shoulder about colour and race would be unlikely to get widespread support.
I think it is unlikely for 10 years or more.
We already have many asian + afro carribean MPs, when it comes to election time, I listen to all the parties arguements and come to an informed decision as to which party gets my vote, the colour/creed/sexuallity of the candidates does not enter into the equation. That said, I dont know how other people feel on the issue, I may be in the majority, or I may be in the minority.
PS, for the record my local MP (Conservative), is white, early 40's and openly gay, he decided not to stand as leader of the Conservatives against David Cameron although many other tory MPs would have backed him, and (in my humble opinion) I thnk he would make an excellent leader.
PS, for the record my local MP (Conservative), is white, early 40's and openly gay, he decided not to stand as leader of the Conservatives against David Cameron although many other tory MPs would have backed him, and (in my humble opinion) I thnk he would make an excellent leader.
I can't see a likely candidate there are only 15 non-white MPs.
There has only once been a black minister Paul Boateng who retired from politics at the last election.
I think one of the problems is that because non-white MPs are so rare in westminster they often feel obliged to make the most of their appointment and become embroiled in issues like race and immigration which leads people to label them as having a chip on their shoulder.
If you were to represent the ethnic make up of the UK in parliament you'd expect just over 50 non-white MPs.
When you start to see that sort of figure maybe we might be about to see it happen - until then it'd take a roaringly brilliant and charismatic outsider to storm the ranks
There has only once been a black minister Paul Boateng who retired from politics at the last election.
I think one of the problems is that because non-white MPs are so rare in westminster they often feel obliged to make the most of their appointment and become embroiled in issues like race and immigration which leads people to label them as having a chip on their shoulder.
If you were to represent the ethnic make up of the UK in parliament you'd expect just over 50 non-white MPs.
When you start to see that sort of figure maybe we might be about to see it happen - until then it'd take a roaringly brilliant and charismatic outsider to storm the ranks
It depends how black they are. Seriously, look at popular entertainment shows like X Factor or Big Brother. Black people simply don't generate real backing from the UK public as a whole. Mixed race contestants don't fare quite so badly.
Having said that, there aren't many ethnic MPs who are being talked up as potential leaders. If anything, I think there'll be a black US president before a black PM. And I never thought I'd say that.
Having said that, there aren't many ethnic MPs who are being talked up as potential leaders. If anything, I think there'll be a black US president before a black PM. And I never thought I'd say that.
Forgive me if I am wrong but is it not the idea that politics is utilitarian based insofar as the PM is for the people?
Black people are about 2 percent of the population. It would not be right if one was elected.
We are a white majority country. Look at South Africa which has a black majority and when a white man was in power the country was deemed racist.
Therefore ergo, we will always have a white PM as long as we are a white mass majority.
The same principle is the majority of UK is English (76 percent) Kinnock being overtly Welsh never got in and in a recent poll only 16 percent of the English realised Blair is a jock. What a surprise he talks with a southern English accent.
Asians and blacks are already over-represented in parliament, sport, entertainment, advertising and anything else. We live in a racist country against the vast majority of white people.
Black people are about 2 percent of the population. It would not be right if one was elected.
We are a white majority country. Look at South Africa which has a black majority and when a white man was in power the country was deemed racist.
Therefore ergo, we will always have a white PM as long as we are a white mass majority.
The same principle is the majority of UK is English (76 percent) Kinnock being overtly Welsh never got in and in a recent poll only 16 percent of the English realised Blair is a jock. What a surprise he talks with a southern English accent.
Asians and blacks are already over-represented in parliament, sport, entertainment, advertising and anything else. We live in a racist country against the vast majority of white people.
On the basis that when Margaret Thatcher was elected leader of the Conservative party, there were only 17 other women in parliament, I find the percentage arguments irrelevant.
I think the current and the next Prime Minister will be Scottish, so I don't think nationality has squat to do with it.
Hopefully, if there is a 'sensible' person (and there are certainly none that spring to mind) in charge of a party, then religion, race, gender or colour won't come into it.
I think the current and the next Prime Minister will be Scottish, so I don't think nationality has squat to do with it.
Hopefully, if there is a 'sensible' person (and there are certainly none that spring to mind) in charge of a party, then religion, race, gender or colour won't come into it.
Wardy- I think you'll find that was something called apartheid- which was, in fact, actual legalised racism. And South Africa still has problems regarding race and class issues.
You seem to suggest that a black individual cannot connect with a mostly white audience- which only suggests that you have not yet realised how much hip-hop, for example, has reached the mainstream.
You seem to suggest that a black individual cannot connect with a mostly white audience- which only suggests that you have not yet realised how much hip-hop, for example, has reached the mainstream.
Wardy, your argument doesn't make sense. You say that 'Asians and blacks are already over-represented in parliament, sport, entertainment and anything else.'
All of these are areas of life where you are judged on your ability, not your skin colour. That being the case, how can someone be over-represented?
You use classic racist double-speak to say that the poor 90-odd percent majority are being downtrodden. Wake up.
Oh, by the way, ergo means therefore.
All of these are areas of life where you are judged on your ability, not your skin colour. That being the case, how can someone be over-represented?
You use classic racist double-speak to say that the poor 90-odd percent majority are being downtrodden. Wake up.
Oh, by the way, ergo means therefore.
How can somebody be over-represented??? Wasn't that the whole point of party politics when we were a feudal (almost dictorial) nation?
Racist double speak?? Clearly you have not heard of legalised "positive discrimination", which occurs in almost every civil servive human resources.
Oh and by the way, when you start correcting peoples written English (on only those you disagree with) you instantly lose any credibility. And therefore and ergo can be used together anyway, unless of course The Oxford Manual for Everyday English Usage is wrong.
Therefore, ergo I am clearly right.
Racist double speak?? Clearly you have not heard of legalised "positive discrimination", which occurs in almost every civil servive human resources.
Oh and by the way, when you start correcting peoples written English (on only those you disagree with) you instantly lose any credibility. And therefore and ergo can be used together anyway, unless of course The Oxford Manual for Everyday English Usage is wrong.
Therefore, ergo I am clearly right.
Hang on a minute Wardy, I didn't suggest that people were over-represented, you did.
Do you think then, that once there is a statistically correct quota of ethnic minorities in employment, sport, parliament etc, that no more should be allowed to become any of those things, simply because of their colour?
Surely, if there were to be a Black PM, they should be judged on their record in Parliament and abilities as a leader. Being black does not mean that you will not represent white people. Don't forget that the vast majority of white people represent the interests of the ethnic minority population at the moment.
Do you think then, that once there is a statistically correct quota of ethnic minorities in employment, sport, parliament etc, that no more should be allowed to become any of those things, simply because of their colour?
Surely, if there were to be a Black PM, they should be judged on their record in Parliament and abilities as a leader. Being black does not mean that you will not represent white people. Don't forget that the vast majority of white people represent the interests of the ethnic minority population at the moment.
I can't see a black Prime Minister in the near future , until there are more black MP's , unless , as been said before someone bursts upon the scene .
If such an individual is out there I think they will stand a better chance of the top job , if they are from the labour camp .
I just cannot see those in the conservative party reponsible for electing their leader , giving countenance to the idea of a black leader .
I am unsure as to what %tage of black americans hold office in US politics , however it is the case there has been / are holders of high office , over there .
I have to agree therefore with NJOK , that the probabilty is that we will see a black US president , before we see a black PM
If such an individual is out there I think they will stand a better chance of the top job , if they are from the labour camp .
I just cannot see those in the conservative party reponsible for electing their leader , giving countenance to the idea of a black leader .
I am unsure as to what %tage of black americans hold office in US politics , however it is the case there has been / are holders of high office , over there .
I have to agree therefore with NJOK , that the probabilty is that we will see a black US president , before we see a black PM
1 to 16 of 16
Latest Posts
Looks Like P M Is Going To Have To Give...
News10 mins ago
Law11 mins ago
Crosswords15 mins ago
ChatterBank16 mins ago
ChatterBank17 mins ago
