Kennedy launches ethnic minority manifesto
February 17, 2005 1:15 PM
Lib Dem leader, Charles Kennedy MP, with the party's ethnic minority parliamentary candidates
Charles Kennedy MP has launched the Lib Dem manifesto for Black and Minority Ethnic communities and set out the party's support for diversity and fairness in Britain.
"The reality of Britain today is that it is a multi-ethnic, multi-faith and therefore diverse society. It is a richer society as a result - culturally, socially and economically. The Liberal Democrats embrace that Britain and we celebrate it. We would ensure that our laws reflect that diversity, protecting minorities from discrimination, from victimisation and harassment. "
"For the Liberal Democrats immigration offers us opportunities to enhance our economy and fill much needed skills gaps. Others talk about immigration as if it is an unregulated, unstoppable tide. And when it comes to asylum, it's true that we should find better ways of regulating the system, but that is a matter of process. Debate about these two quite separate issues should never be used to stoke up fear or racism."
The manifesto includes five key policies for ethnic minority communities, these are:
1. Strengthen the fight against discrimination with a single equality act. This would replace the existing tangled mess of anti-discrimination laws
2. Prioritise international law, democracy and respect for human rights. Promoting international co-operation and collaboration.
3. Safeguard a human rights based asylum policy. No quotas or targets on asylum seekers - instead a quick, fair and principled assessment of each case.
4. Create confidence in the immigration system and promoting the positive economic and social contribution made by immigrants throughout our history.
5. Use New Deal money on a better employment scheme that recognises that some ethnic minority groups face particular problems entering the jobs market.
Kennedy concludes, "The Liberal Democrats have been the real opposition in this parliament on crucial issues such as the war in Iraq, tuition fees and the introduction of ID cards. Many people in the ethnic minority communities in this country are looking for a political home - I want The Liberal Democrats to be that home."
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