Black Asian Minority Ethnic L abour

BAME Labour is the representative body of Ethnic Minorities in British politics

We must continue to support Gordon

Just like the great majority of British voters, I am also very upset about the excessive expense claims submitted by some MPs. Those found guilty should leave both office and parliament so voters that can have the chance to elect upright people who can restore and uphold the good name of this institution and the high standard which are respected worldwide and have always been associated with the mother of parliaments.

I wrote to the Prime Minister immediately this expenses scandal broke out and conveyed my membership’s concerns, asking him that those who are found guilty by the inquiry should be deselected from their seats and also that those who might not be found guilty of breaking the rules, but who nevertheless have made excessive claims, abusing the system, should be made to pay back the amounts, with further disciplinary action being taken against them by the party.

I received a prompt reply in which the Prime Minister wrote that he understands the people’s anger and the frustration over MPs’ expenses and he apologised for it.

He also spelled out the measures he is taking to renew people’s faith in politics for the future, including calling for independent scrutiny for every claim made over the last four years, to decide who much should make repayments.

He also said that Labour’s NEC agreed that wrongdoing will be investigated and dealt with by the party.  An NEC panel has now been established which can recommend that MPs be not allowed to stand as Labour candidates at the next general election.

At the BAME Labour Executive meeting last week, I read out Prime Minister’s letter. It was received very warmly and the membership appreciated the prompt, fair and firm action taken by the Prime Minister.

I personally believe that the opposition parties’ calls for an immediate general election are totally wrong. How can you call an election when the whole political system is in such need of overhauling? I urge the opposition parties to look at this issue objectively and instead demand from the government that they take the lead to clean up the system before the next election, in order to make sure that honest and upright representatives are elected from all parties, whose sole aim would be to serve the public. After all, this scandal has exposed malpractice by members of all three parties.

I also urge Labour ministers, MPs and all members to lend their full and unqualified support to Gordon so that he can continue with the measures necessary for economic recovery along with the much-needed political reforms. These are the two vital ingredients, which alone can provide our great party with the chance to rebuild and to win an historic fourth term at the next general election, which is the only way to ensure for all our people the justice and prosperity they need and deserve.

Ahmad Shahzad (National Chair BAME Labour)

Chair Ahmad Shahzad: 106 Park Avenue North, London NW10 1HU, e-mail: shahzad.a@sky.com

Labour Party,  39 Victoria Street, London SW1H OHA, e-mail: bemelabour@new.labour.org.uk