Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, hosted a reception for prominent figures from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities at the Admiralty House here on last Wednesday evening. The event was the brain-child of Patchwork Foundation that aims to facilitate creation of an inclusive British political society by the positive integration of underrepresented, deprived and minority communities.
Thanking the Patchworkers for their suggestion to hold the reception, Nick Clegg said, “We live in a very anxious time, there is a lot of fear but we want a country where there is a climate of hope and not fear.”
“And that can only be done if communities reach out to each other, if BAME communities feel that they have a place in this country and a place just as much as anybody else and this what this reception is about- it’s about celebrating the wonderful diversity of Britain,” he added.
On the occasion, he stressed on the need for greater diversity in public appointments if they are to speak for the country.
The event saw the who’s who of BAME community, from politicians and representatives of non-governmental organisations to lawyers, media professionals, and other invited guests.
Among those present at the reception were Baroness Floella Benjamin, Baroness Hussein-Ece, Baroness Brinton, Lib Dem PPC for Beckenham Anuja Punj Prashar, Lib Dem MP for East Dunbartonshire Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West Stephen Williams, businessman and politician Abdul Malik, BBC HARDtalk presenter Zainab Badawi, professional chef and designer Chetna Makan, singer George The Poet, BBC Radio presenter Nihal A among others.
Briefly touching on the significance of the upcoming elections, he said, “This election is important in many respects. It is important for we as a country in whatever way you do it, that we emphatically, clearly, calmly and firmly say that is not the politics that we are going to abide by in our country.”
“It will only tear us apart; make people more fearful; drive communities away from each other rather towards each other that is simply not the future rather a climate of fear for the politics of grievance and blame to take root. It must be rejected and rejected fully,” he added.
He also pointed out the adverse impact of the 2008 recession on Britain’s economy, describing it as a “cardiac arrest” of the economy.
“We are in no allusion. The economy is still fragile. My party believes that we maintain a stubborn allegiance that is liberal, tolerant, open-minded, generous-hearted politics, and sensible, centre- ground liberal economics that is the only way we can socially, economically and politically complete the journey through these turbulent waters,” he said.
He ended his speech with a polite request to lend support to his liberal values that he talked about.
However, vice chair of South Central Liberal Democrats, Tahir Maher said, “It’s a non-partisan event. It’s just to give our views to people as for where we stand. It’s a way of building relationship with the BAME community. But we have to do a lot more than this. There are more of the ethnic communities out there. It’s not even the tip of the iceberg.”
