FIYAZ MUGHAL OBE FCMI - Experience, Energy , Vision and Empowering Those I Represent <info@fiyazmughal.org.uk>
Liberal Democrats Announce 50% Rise In Bme Candidates
April 29, 2005 12:00 AM
Simon Hughes
The Liberal Democrats today launch their policies for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities.
At a press briefing hosted by Liberal Democrat President Simon Hughes and Fiyaz Mughal, Chair of Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats the party set out the key policies for BME communities.
Mr Hughes was particularly pleased to announce that the Liberal Democrats will be fielding 39 ethnic minority candidates in the coming election, an increase of 50% from 26 in 2001.
The key policy commitments for BME communities are:
- Introduce an Equality Act: This will replace the current tangled mess of anti-discrimination law.
- Safeguard a human rights based asylum policy.
- Create confidence in the immigration system: We would consult with business and the public services to set quotas reflecting Britain's economic needs while promoting the positive contribution made by immigrants throughout our history.
- Prioritise international law, democracy and respect for human rights.
Commenting, Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat President said:
"I am very happy to have this opportunity to set out some of the key Liberal Democrat policies for the black and minority ethnic communities. We have been very active in trying to engage Britain's diverse population and it is clear we now have a growing level of support amongst BME communities.
"The Liberal Democrats have been the only party consistently to oppose Labour policies such as the war in Iraq, the illegal detentions at Belmarsh and the flawed ID card scheme.
"We have also refused to be drawn into the unsightly demonising of immigrants and asylum seekers that the other two parties have been involved in. These are the reasons people from Britain's ethnic minorities should vote for a real alternative; on May 5th they should vote Liberal Democrat"
Fiyaz Mughal, Chair of Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats, said:
"We have seen a significant jump in candidate numbers from BME groups, many of whom have come over from New Labour to be a part of the Liberal Democrats.
"We are the only party that has appealed to their sense of social justice which is severely lacking from the policies of the other two parties."
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