Racism will ‘die out naturally’, claims Tory Senedd member
A Tory Senedd member has claimed that racism will “die out naturally”.
Laura Anne Jones, a regional MS for South Wales East, made the comments after a statement in the Senedd by Welsh Government Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, on the Wales Race Equality Action Plan.
Jones, who is also the equalities spokesperson for the Conservatives in the Senedd, has previously come under fire for comments on social media, where she said that she would like to do a “spot of Chav shooting”.
She later apologised and said her “flippant use of language was unacceptable and inappropriate”.
In the Senedd, she welcomed the action plan and praised Jane Hutt for “being such a caring and compassionate human”, as well as her “proactive” approach to tackling racism.
During the debate Laura Anne Jones said: “Luckily I believe that a lot of racism is generational and will die out naturally, and it’s always incredibly reassuring when we talk to our young people and how important it is that we do tackle racism an inequality in our communities.”
Jane Hutt said: “Racism and race inequality have adversely impacted global society for hundreds of years.
“Back in October 2020 this Senedd supported a motion to wholeheartedly root out racism and racist ideology and strive towards a more equal Wales, attacking systemic and structural racism inequality.
“The disproportionate and more severe impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian, minority ethnic communities exposed the inherent racial inequality in our society, and inn the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, Black Lives Matters and others have ensured that racism and race inequality issues that no one can ignore.”
“Now is the time for action, and as we mark again the international day for the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, I’m pleased to announce that this week the Welsh Government with public the Race Equality Action Plan for Wales for consultation.
“The Race Equality Action Plan for Wales – an anti-racist Wales sets out a series of goals and actions designed to improve the outcomes for black, Asian, and minority ethnic people in Wales.
‘Welcome’
Laura Anne Jones responded: “Deputy Minister, I just want to say that I concur with all that you’ve said, and we very much welcome this plan today. May I take this opportunity just to thank the Minister, Deputy minister Jane Hutt, for all her hard work in this role.
“She was the perfect person to be in such a role, being such a caring and compassionate human herself, and she’s helped to being this Senedd and our country great strides forward in talking about, debating, and acting upon subjects that were often thought as taboo subjects.
“Black Lives Matter and the pandemic highlighted systematic inequality, particularly within out BAME communities, has really brought to the forefront very real issues that many in our society and our community, face on a daily basis in 2021.
“And I think the year, because it’s quite bewildering that the severe inequality and racism still exists in our society in 2021. This plan is therefore welcome, timely and much needed.
“I very much welcome this cutting across departments and policy developments approach, and proactive, rather than reactive approach that the Minister has outlined in her statement.
“For example, as she’s already outlined incorporating black history to now be taught in the new curriculum.
“I hope that any successive government and minsters like Kirsty Williams, would also adopt this approach going forward.
“If we are a nation that is truly serious about combating racism in all its forms and guises then this is the way we need to do it.”
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