Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Northern Ireland Assembly: BME Representation

Wednesday 27 November 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Adam Jogee asked the Secretary of State about discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on BME representation in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
  • The Secretary of State met Lilian Seenoi Barr, the first ethnic minority mayor in Northern Ireland, and agreed that all parties should review their selection processes.
  • Robin Swann raised the issue of online abuse received by Jay Basra, a Punjabi-British Ulster Unionist candidate, and the Secretary of State expressed horror at the abuse reported.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Adam Jogee Lab Newcastle-under-Lyme
Northern Ireland Women & Equalities
Context

Anna Lo, a pioneer for ethnic minorities in politics, passed away recently. The Northern Ireland Assembly currently lacks representation from these groups.

Question

What discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Northern Ireland Executive on levels of representation of people from black and minority ethnic communities in the Northern Ireland Assembly? Anna Lo was the first ethnic minority politician elected to the Assembly, but she cannot be the last. I urge the Minister to encourage all parties in the Assembly to redouble their efforts to ensure that all the people of Northern Ireland can look to their Assembly and see someone like them.

Answer from Fleur Anderson

I recently met Lilian Seenoi Barr, the first mayor in Northern Ireland from an ethnic minority background. I agree that people must see themselves represented, so I join my hon. Friend in urging all parties across Northern Ireland to look at their selection processes and their invitations to meetings, and to make sure that all parties welcome everyone from every background.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive were not addressed.

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Q2 Adam Jogee Lab Newcastle-under-Lyme
Northern Ireland Women & Equalities
Context

Anna Lo, a pioneer for ethnic minorities in politics, passed away recently. The Northern Ireland Assembly currently lacks representation from these groups.

Question

I join the Minister in paying tribute to Anna Lo. She was the first non-white Member of the Assembly but cannot be the last. I urge the Minister to encourage all parties in the Assembly to redouble their efforts to ensure that all people of Northern Ireland can look to their Assembly and see someone like them.

Answer from Fleur Anderson

I recently met Lilian Seenoi Barr, the first mayor in Northern Ireland from an ethnic minority background. I agree that people must see themselves represented, so I join my hon. Friend in urging all parties across Northern Ireland to look at their selection processes and their invitations to meetings, and to make sure that all parties welcome everyone from every background.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive were not addressed.

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Q3 Robin Swann Ulster Unionist Party South Antrim
Northern Ireland Community Security
Context

Jay Basra, a Punjabi-British Ulster Unionist candidate, faced significant online abuse when announcing his candidacy for the Mid Ulster seat.

Question

Jay Basra is a 20-year-old Ulster Unionist candidate who ran in Mid Ulster at the last general election. Jay describes himself as Punjabi-British. When he announced his candidacy, he received a torrent of online abuse which he described as 'dehumanising' and 'abhorrent'. He said: “It reduces me down to my skin colour rather than myself as a person.” However, he has also said: “If anything I'm even more determined to run again and increase the Ulster Unionist vote like I did in the general election.” What words of encouragement does the Minister have for people such as Jay?

Answer from Fleur Anderson

I am horrified to hear of that online abuse, and I am horrified to hear of any abuse that any politicians receive. I commend Jay for his courage in saying, “Actually, this is not putting me off. I want to stand again.” The hon. Member is quite right to raise this matter, as we would all want to do, and to show support for Jay and others who want to be able to say that they can stand and not receive such abuse. We should call it out whenever we see it.

Answered
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