Scotland's first ethnic minority MSP, Bashir Ahmad was sworn in yesterday. I have wondered about this though. With Linda Fabiani recently receiving an Italian knighthood, isn't she actually first? I don't know how these things are termed, but certainly Bashir Ahmad is the first non-white in the Parliament (though maybe Tommy Sheridan would lay claim to that), and first Asian - finally after eight years.
At the start of the second all-white Parliament in 2003, I remember politicians from all parties queuing up to promise they would fix this come 2007. Only the SNP have, and none of the others even came close. In my observation they did not even try.
They need to look hard at their processes and internal structures. The SNP did not achieve this by accident. The Scots Asians for Independence was set up around 10 years ago and gave a platform for Asians to get involved in the party, where it was otherwise difficult. The core ingredient though was Ahmad's own hard work, and senior party officials supported him wherever they could.
I have no doubt that all the parties would love to have Asians elevate within their ranks. Looking at them, they are screaming out for it. Those Asians that are involved, particularly within Labour, have illusions of grandeur and all too high opinion of their own abilities which are not shared by fellow party members. These emperors not only don't have any clothes on, they were naked to begin with.
Within the generation born and brought up in this country though there is emerging talent. Many of them though are thoroughly disenchanted with the political process. It's up to the parties to make the case for themselves however. Alex Salmond first met Bashir Ahmad at a Pakistan Welfare Trust dinner a decade ago. He saw the potential for an SNP linkup with the community and wooed Ahmad who was one of the trustees at the time. Despite the current apathy, this kind of foresight and effort would still work. Labour have complacently been hanging about with the usual turkeys though, while the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have made no links at all with anyone.
Minority communities also need to get off their backsides too. Realism about the political process is one thing, but perpetual cynicism is just stupid. You get the leaders you deserve, and looking at some elected representatives you really do wonder what it is that you did wrong. There are many of Asian backgrounds that have a lot to offer, not least with their diverse and enriched worldview and it's hightime they stepped up to the crease.
Osama,
When are you going to step up ?
Posted by: vtdas | 13 May 2007 at 02:53 PM
What exactly is Scotland's ethnic majority then?
Posted by: Mustafa Arif | 15 May 2007 at 10:45 PM