"When they're away from power, Labour will go alongside Black communities. But the closer their proximity to power, the more they revert to type. And we had real hopes of them coming into government. Even people that are being reasonable and saying: It's hard for a government coming in and taking over what they've inherited', are seeing a government accepting the normalisation of racism."
"Black voters were saying: We don't know what Labour stands for any more. In November, Keir Starmer vowed to stand up to racism. But the moral panic over migration and slow progress on tackling racial pay gaps and the Windrush scandal meant sentiment was low."
"Labour's plans to restrict jury trials would intensify disproportionality. It's an attack on the democratic principle you've got to have public oversight over state power, [or] the fundamental tenet of justice system accountability."
David Weaver, chair of Operation Black Vote, warns that Labour faces significant challenges with Black voters who feel abandoned by the government. Despite Black voters strongly supporting Labour in 2024, the party risks losing support in marginal constituencies due to perceived acceptance of racism normalisation. Key concerns include the government's jury restriction plans, which would intensify racial disproportionality in the justice system, slow progress on racial pay gaps, and the unresolved Windrush scandal. Weaver criticises Labour's pattern of supporting Black communities while in opposition but reverting to neglect once in power, suggesting the party assumes Black voters will support them regardless of policy outcomes.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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