Robert Jenrick is facing criticism for reportedly expressing disappointment at the absence of “another white face” during his visit to a part of Birmingham. The Shadow Justice Secretary’s remarks implied dissatisfaction with the demographic makeup of the area, stating it did not align with his vision of a harmonious society. Despite acknowledging that integration should not be based on ethnicity or religion, he emphasized the importance of people coexisting together.
The comments attributed to Mr. Jenrick, documented during a gathering at the Aldridge-Brownhills Conservative Association dinner, highlighted his observations during a visit to Handsworth in Birmingham. He described the area as unkempt and poorly integrated, mentioning the lack of white individuals during his brief time there.
Criticism of Mr. Jenrick’s statements came from the local MP, who accused him of using a narrow viewpoint to assess integration and misrepresenting the diverse community. Additionally, former Labour MP Khalid Mahmood defended the area, emphasizing its multicultural nature and attributing any shortcomings to government policies and local issues rather than the residents’ diversity.
In response to the leaked comments, various political figures condemned Mr. Jenrick for reducing individuals to their skin color and urged him to clarify his remarks. The Chair of the Labour Party denounced the comments as divisive and demanded an explanation for their compatibility with the party’s values. Hope Not Hate’s director of campaigns cautioned against inflammatory rhetoric, warning that such language could fuel far-right sentiments.
Despite the backlash, Mr. Jenrick’s team chose not to provide a statement on the matter.