The last chance saloon on diversity
September 28, 2010 10:34 AM
Meral Hussein Ece, the chair of EMLD until 2011, writes on Lib Dem Voice about the debate on diversity at conference.
I went to conference expecting something entirely different, perhaps influenced by the daily articles and news reports, that this conference was going to be like no other. That there was much unrest, and even anger amongst the Party's ranks. Instead I found myself amongst many Lib Dem party members and friends who were upbeat and positive.
I didn't speak to anyone - nor as far as I can gather did the media - who was vehemently opposed to the Coalition Government. Yes, this conference was like no other. It was the largest conference we've ever had, and our Leader is Deputy Prime Minister.
We had many good debates. The debate that perhaps left me depressed, was the continuing inertia on EMLDs motion on Diversity. Tackling the lack of black & minority ethnic elected representatives. Institutional apathy as someone called it.
Nick Clegg told a fringe event that EMLD's motion was the 'last chance saloon' and that he fully supported it. So did Vince Cable who chairs the Diversity Engagement Group (DEG) So did Lynne Featherstone, our Minister for Equalities. Simon Hughes, the Lib Dem MP who has made a real difference in his own constituency, and who the only MP who spoke positively, called on delegates to vote for change. It fell on deaf ears.
On the day, a number of delegates in the Hall preferred to vote for an amendment that basically told us we must do more of the same. In other words, stick to the status quo.
The debate on this has been raging elsewhere on Lib Dem Voice. I have made my contributions to try and tackle some of the myths and what seems to be to be real fears from many members. No party of government can be all-white.
Operation Black Vote Director, Simon Woolley's concluded that the debate was 'depressing'. Simon has been a big supporter of our efforts as a Party to attract and become more representative. He has been a critical friend.
So I came away from Liverpool greatly lifted by the positive message from Nick Clegg, and the positive mood of party members, but disappointed that in our efforts to even attempt to catch up with the other main parties - we are nothing like the radical party of our predecessors.
Thankfully, there are many in the Party, supported by the Leadership who will not go away and will redouble our efforts for greater diversity and plurality within the Liberal Democrats.