Nick Clegg launched the Liberal DemocratsBAME Manifesto, pledging to bring abundance to all.
Some of the measure set out by the Liberal Democrats BAME Manifesto included encouraging businesses to ensure at least one place on their board is filled by a BAME candidate; moving to ‘name blank’ recruitment wherever possible in the public sector so people are judged purely on ability; ensuring every shortlist for Public appointments should include a BAME candidate; target the work of the Apprenticeship Advisory Group to increase the number of apprentices from BAME backgrounds as well as boosting police recruitment from BAME groups, and conducting a full review of the causes of the over-representation of BAME individuals in the criminal justice system to tackle discrimination.
Nick Clegg addressed, “Today, because of what you chose and what we, the Liberal Democrats, did, we have a stronger economy and a fairer society. We brought stability. We turned round the economy. We stopped the Conservatives from putting people like them above people like you. And we made Britain fairer.”
Clegg goes on to speak about the upcoming elections and predicts that there may be a hung parliament, similar to the 2010 scenario. “This time round, it is obvious once again that neither Labour nor the Conservatives will win a majority. The era of single-party government is over. I’m not denying that either David Cameron or Ed Miliband will be Prime Minister. One of them will. But you know and they know that neither of them will win outright. Neither of them will have a majority in Parliament.
Furthermore, “So what really matters is who they will have by their side. Someone is going to hold the balance of power on the 8th of May and it won’t be David Cameron or Ed Miliband. But it could be Nigel Farage. It could be Alex Salmond. Or it could be me and the Liberal Democrats.”
Nick Clegg goes on to speak about how he aims to make society an equal place for everyone, with plenty of opportunities for all. “At its heart is one word that is absolutely central to what Liberal Democrats believe: opportunity. No matter who you are, where you were born, what sexuality or religion you are or what colour your skin is, you should have the same opportunity to get on in life. We want to tear down the barriers that stop you from reaching your potential. We want to smash the glass ceilings that keep you from achieving what you want to achieve. Your talent and your hard work, not the circumstances of your birth, should decide what you can be.”
The Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats also stated, “As our manifesto dedicated to black, Asian and ethnic minorities sets out, the Liberal Democrats will ensure that our commitment to equality runs through every policy area.”
