tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post8257796747279311173..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Why Don't the LibDems Have More Ethnic Minority Candidates?Iain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-37777555779728577382009-09-29T01:48:10.075+01:002009-09-29T01:48:10.075+01:00Here's what I've written about your party ...Here's what I've written about your party in the past month:<br /><br />A positive article about (ahem) Conservative candidate Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones<br /><br />http://operationblackvote.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/no-porkies-with-straight-taking-wilfred/<br /><br />An article defending (ahem) Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey<br /><br />http://operationblackvote.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/bailey-defiant-over-personal-attacks/<br /><br />A positive story about a defector to the (ahem) Conservative party, Denise Headley<br /><br />http://operationblackvote.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/community-champion-defects-to-tories/<br /><br />An even-handed article about Ali Miraj, who many Conservatives spit at in print<br /><br />http://operationblackvote.wordpress.com/2009/08/24/grammar-test-for-miraj/<br /><br />A critical article about the Tories by David Lammy<br /><br />http://operationblackvote.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/tory-distortions-about-the-anc-dont-fool-us/<br /><br />So, you see contrary to your assertion I'm not out to portray the Conservatives as racist.<br /><br />I could post many more links critical of Labour and the Lib Dems if you like.<br /><br />All of which serves to prove that your feelings about me trying to claim the Tories are racist is simply untrue.<br /><br />I am critical of all parties, sometimes constructively, other times perhaps more directly.<br /><br />Iain, quite simply you're mistaken about me.Lester Hollowayhttp://operationblackvote.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-16991197954577875802009-09-29T01:34:47.243+01:002009-09-29T01:34:47.243+01:00You are not campaigning for race equality. You are...You are not campaigning for race equality. You are trying to pain the Conservative Party as racist, which you know full well it isn't. And you don't like being called on it. Tough. Night night.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-41653691159457588762009-09-29T01:29:03.102+01:002009-09-29T01:29:03.102+01:00What's ridiculous about campaigning for race e...What's ridiculous about campaigning for race equality?<br /><br />You may not agree with what I say, but that's no reason to heap abuse on me, or tell me to go away (twice).Lester Hollowayhttp://operationblackvote.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-59434191341051090742009-09-29T01:23:21.340+01:002009-09-29T01:23:21.340+01:00Funny how you never queried it at the time.
Plea...Funny how you never queried it at the time. <br /><br />Please go away.I am just not interested in your ridiculous views, and nor, I suspect are many other people.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-26268356262591803752009-09-29T01:20:42.387+01:002009-09-29T01:20:42.387+01:00Considering that the "watermelon smiles"...Considering that the "watermelon smiles" issue never got much attention from the mainstream media or right wing blogs, I think it was right that Blink and other ethnic minority media outlets should raise the matter, as a matter of public interest. <br /><br />Secondly, you've got your facts wrong about me. I never said you or Tim Montgomery were personally racist. I said that too often racially offensive comments from your readers appear on those blogs. <br /><br />Thirdly, another fact you've got wrong is that I claimed that I was forced to write things about Boris Johnson. I never claimed that. I have never retracted anything I've written about Boris or alleged that anyone told me to write it.<br /><br />Fourthly, you've also got your facts wrong about me when you say I resigned from Blink. In fact, I resigned from The 1990 Trust, and when asked about it I have always said that it was an amicable departure.<br /><br />It's amazing that such a short paragraph about me can contain so many inaccuracies. Truly staggering.<br /><br />So, is writing something critical about Boris what makes me nasty, and a bigot, and leads you to hysterically tell me to go away?<br /><br />Looks like a massive overreaction Iain. As well as a whole bunch of misinformation about me personally.Lester Hollowayhttp://operationblackvote.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-54589878670051169722009-09-29T00:14:42.688+01:002009-09-29T00:14:42.688+01:00Prat. I was away from my computer. I remember who ...Prat. I was away from my computer. I remember who you are now...<br /><br />"A couple of months ago I threatened to sue a website called Blink. They were critisising Boris for the so-called Watermelon remarks and were insinuating that Tory bloggers like me, Tim Montgomerie and others were racist. It was written by a chap called Lester Holloway. After I eventually caught up with him the piece was withdrawn from the Blink website. I'm told today that Lester Holloway has resigned from Blink, saying all the things he was forced to write about Boris in the way that he did. Nice people, these Livingstone supporters. Thugs is another word."<br /><br />I see you haven't changed much or indeed learned anything. How sad.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-51024466067222161262009-09-29T00:08:15.844+01:002009-09-29T00:08:15.844+01:00Iain doesn't like a debate on race. If he did,...Iain doesn't like a debate on race. If he did, he'd have the courage to post my last substantive comment...Lester Hollowayhttp://operationblackvote.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-46264375111109998302009-09-29T00:04:46.012+01:002009-09-29T00:04:46.012+01:00Are you censoring my last comment?Are you censoring my last comment?Lester Hollowayhttp://operationblackvote.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-37001947482007334492009-09-28T23:59:27.986+01:002009-09-28T23:59:27.986+01:00I'm the bigot, for pointing out that prior to ...I'm the bigot, for pointing out that prior to 2005, the Tories elected ONE MP from a visable ethnic minority in my lifetime??? I think there are many Black Tories - who I assume don't frequent here - who would disagree with your implication that the Tories are spotless. I know, I've spoken to many of them, who've told me what they've gone through. But that's now forgotten, right?<br /><br />Secondly, the number of BME candidates doesn't mean diddly-squat; it's the candidates that are elected that matter. Reason: because sticking BME candidates in hopeless seats is not progress. To suggest otherwise is simply patrionising.<br /><br />I also know that it is central office who have led the way in the drive to select more BME MPs. Hence the reason why this did not happen before.<br /><br />So, whilst I sympathise with the fact that an alternative point of view disgusts you, and brings out the need to tell me to "go away and spread your lies somewhere else", I just want to point out that some people - like myself - have been taking a close interest in this area for some time and have written both positive and negative articles about all parties regarding Black representation.<br /><br />So before you double-over in frothing disgust and me, I suggest you take a cursory look at the recent history of the Conservatives, and a balanced look at the way I have been pretty equal handed about all parties in this regard. <br /><br />I trust you won't censor this.Lester Hollowayhttp://operationblackvote.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77076797985060686822009-09-28T23:47:50.277+01:002009-09-28T23:47:50.277+01:00There isn't one. You are trying to paint the T...There isn't one. You are trying to paint the Tory Party as racist and it is anything but. From where I am standing it is you who is the bigot. Rejoice in the fact that the Tories had more BME candidates than Labour last time, and will do so again and that at least 7% of our MPs will be BME next time. That's not David Cameron's doing. That is the local associations who you seem to think are racist. You disgust me. Now go away and spread your lies somewhere else.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-10118918451330555852009-09-28T23:43:55.918+01:002009-09-28T23:43:55.918+01:00Engage with the argument, Iain.Engage with the argument, Iain.Lester Hollowayhttp://operationblackvote.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-70756009755642576042009-09-28T23:40:55.184+01:002009-09-28T23:40:55.184+01:00What utter rubbish. It seems to me you are the one...What utter rubbish. It seems to me you are the one with attitude problems, not people in the Tory party. I seem to remember exposing your rather nasty views on this site once before.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-90386198139350964672009-09-28T23:37:09.338+01:002009-09-28T23:37:09.338+01:00Iain, if you think two ethnic minority MPs selecte...Iain, if you think two ethnic minority MPs selected before Cameron is all the evidence anyone needs that the Conservatives are down with modern multicultural Britain - MPs who were only elected in 2005 - then that really takes patronising attitudes to new heights. <br /><br />Prior to 2005, you have to go back to 1992 to find a single BME MP elected on the Tory benches. I was simply pointing out that everyone here appears to be on a high horse, when the historical evidence does not justify such attitudes.<br /><br />I've also seen more than enough evidence in more recent times of a residual resistence to BME candidates in your party to know that large swathes of the rank and file are simply gritting their teeth and bearing it; so the notion that the Tory party as a whole welcomes everyone, as you say, is evidently a whopping untruth.Lester Hollowayhttp://operationblackvote.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-20066096013856583372009-09-28T23:23:37.976+01:002009-09-28T23:23:37.976+01:00Lester, your comments show you up. BME candidates ...Lester, your comments show you up. BME candidates were selected in safe seats long before Cameron. In Windsor and Cambs SW for example. So get off your high horse and welcome the fact that the Conservative Party is welcoming to everyone. Rejoice!Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-69284087707880470572009-09-28T23:20:32.724+01:002009-09-28T23:20:32.724+01:00How satisfying it must be for Conservatives to sud...How satisfying it must be for Conservatives to suddenly, for the first time in their lives, take the moral highground on ethnic minority representation. <br /><br />Not, you understand, because anyone here did anything to bring about the change in the Conservatives. That was Cameron.<br /><br />But now you actually have Black candidates, "we selected them on merit". Except, that didn't appear to happen before. So were Tories selecting on merit then, but the BME hopefuls just didn't measure up?Lester Hollowayhttp://operationblackvote.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-64220942690014925452009-09-23T14:14:57.542+01:002009-09-23T14:14:57.542+01:00Might be better if they could concentrate on tryin...Might be better if they could concentrate on trying to get a few sensible MPs elected.<br /><br />Never mind what colour they might be...Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-78722028293886644772009-09-21T19:55:32.137+01:002009-09-21T19:55:32.137+01:00Lets not stop with the ethnic minorities what abou...Lets not stop with the ethnic minorities what about the rest of us (Trans-sexuals [TS]) being one such group and it does not just apply to the liberal democrats it applies across the entire political spectrum.<br /><br />I have friend from where i use to live who stood for a local councilor position a few years ago, she is a post op TS. <br /><br />I would love to stand, but i know being me i would not have a snow ball chance in hell.Nicki UK (Trans Authoress)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16735593460822074182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-25230083932771421472009-09-21T10:00:48.376+01:002009-09-21T10:00:48.376+01:00Scrapbook said..."It turns out that the Lib D...Scrapbook said...<i>"It turns out that the Lib Dems don't have a single ethnic minority in their top 25 target seats and only four in their top 100!"</i><br /><br />So what?<br /><br />How many <i>"should"</i> they have.<br /><br />How many evangelical Christians should there be? And Roman Catholics? How many left handed candidates have they got? Or how many gingers?<br /><br />Surely the only thing that should be monitored is how many of the candidates are passionate about Liberal policies ... whatever they might be!Rebel Sainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17932686715016006056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-59762843737482951762009-09-21T09:41:18.092+01:002009-09-21T09:41:18.092+01:00It turns out that the Lib Dems don't have a si...It turns out that the Lib Dems don't have a single ethnic minority in their top 25 target seats and <em>only four</em> in their top 100!<br /><br /><a href="http://politicalscrapbook.net/2009/09/hideously-white-no-ethnic-minority-candidates-for-liberal-democrats-in-top-25-target-seats/" rel="nofollow">http://politicalscrapbook.net/2009/09/hideously-white-no-ethnic-minority-candidates-for-liberal-democrats-in-top-25-target-seats/</a><br /><br />Oh, dear.Political Scrapbookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02511498027607893482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-65690680547184623682009-09-21T03:16:23.437+01:002009-09-21T03:16:23.437+01:00Perhaps the LibDems need to do some outreach work ...Perhaps the LibDems need to do some outreach work to bring the joy of beards, sandals, real ale and morris dancing to the ethnic minorities.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77764096877009056812009-09-21T01:31:08.611+01:002009-09-21T01:31:08.611+01:00I think it is because black people are generally s...I think it is because black people are generally snappy dressers and don't want to wear beards and sandals.Chasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-72866738361957412432009-09-20T23:19:41.133+01:002009-09-20T23:19:41.133+01:00Has anyone noticed how hideously black the world o...Has anyone noticed how hideously black the world of athletics is .. or is racist if we make observations about non-Caucasians?<br /><br />Get over it everyone. The LibDems have lots of white people. So does Britain.<br /><br />It could actually be seen as a credit to the BME population that they stay away such a bunk of no-hopers!Rebel Sainthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17932686715016006056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-61517758236220885042009-09-20T22:05:50.428+01:002009-09-20T22:05:50.428+01:00It's because being a lib-dem is a peculiar typ...It's because being a lib-dem is a peculiar type of middle-class activity. Anyone else is unlikely to notice.JSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-35387813694822534582009-09-20T20:20:17.372+01:002009-09-20T20:20:17.372+01:00Because, like all politicians, they are hypocritic...Because, like all politicians, they are hypocritical hoons!MikeyPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02628881766409720006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-79968860674942642532009-09-20T19:46:21.730+01:002009-09-20T19:46:21.730+01:00This seems rather unfair. Why would black or ethni...This seems rather unfair. Why would black or ethnic minority candidates be thick enough to join the fence sitters of the third party ??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com