Lee Jasper is a human rights activist with a track record both of being outspoken on issues affecting black people and of doing something about them. He is a founder of Blaksox, a social movement to mentor and empower young black people to ‘do for self’ and to leave a positive legacy for following generations.
Mr Jasper has publicly debated Tory GLA (Greater London Assembly) member Shaun Bailey on a number of occasions.
So when Mr Bailey, prompted by an article by hard-right blog Guido Fawkes, accused Labour MP Emma Dent Coad of racism for comments she quoted about him seven years ago, Mr Jasper was quick to call him out:
Mr Jasper spoke to the SKWAWKBOX and elaborated on his challenge and the reasons for it:
Emma Dent Coad – and this is something I hear from everyone who knows her, too – is a genuine, hard-working individual who fights for all her local people and has stood up fearlessly for those affected by the Grenfell fire and to highlight the issues it has raised – issues that disproportionately affect black people and those from other ethnic communities.
Shaun Bailey, on the other hand, is a desperately ambitious young man who is keen to progress within the Conservative party and to become an MP. He’s been around the political scene for ages and we’ve been in many public debates together.
My challenges to him around policing issues, stop and search practices and institutionalised racism have been met, on media programmes and elsewhere, by him denying the extent of the institutionalised racism and claiming that suggestions of racism are exaggerated.
In my opinion, his allegations now are more driven by individual political ambition than by a genuine cause.
So when I heard about the article, I first checked to see whether there was something I didn’t know about Emma that would be a genuine cause for concern. But when I dug into it, I quickly realised that it was just an attempt to fit her up with accusations of racism that bore no relation to the truth.
For Shaun Bailey to cynically jump on that bandwagon, when he’s part of a party that has seen the massive application of racial inequality and divisiveness and a huge increase in racial and religious hate-crime, is extreme hypocrisy.
There was no way I was going to let Bailey have a free pass on a blatantly political smear against an opposition MP who is working hard for her constituency on social housing and other issues that affect black people, when he wants to be part of part of a government that has overseen the biggest rise in racism in the post-war period.
Shaun Bailey was contacted for comment but has failed to respond by the time of publication.
Mr Jasper was not the only one to show support for Emma Dent Coad. In sharp contrast to the politically-motivated smear campaign, which was shamefully promoted by the BBC today on its Daily Politics programme, community members and leaders in her constituency also got behind her:
Dear our MP @emmadentcoad, our skin colours may differ but our hearts and minds speak the same language 'Prosperity for All'. You're not just the MP 4 the people but you're one of us. Thank you for serving our community. This is the Emma we know. @jeremycorbyn @hammersmithandy. pic.twitter.com/biaQKP42gu
— Kasim Ali (@Kaasim_Ali) November 14, 2017
Blaksox works in communities as well as with individuals. Its second annual ‘Legacy Gala’ black-tie event will be held 9 December and four hundred of five hundred tickets have already been sold.
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*not the ONLY one …
It’s worth pointing out that the the shadow brexit minister was asked to comment on the issue on the Daily Politics today – and she did.
“https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09g8cdb/daily-politics-15112017” … about 20 minutes in.
She did – and said she had not even read the article
I had a dream the BBC would facilitate this debate. Dream on me, I doubt they will even mention it. In fact, I expect Dimplebore et al will quote Fatty Understains polemic over and over on Torytime.
“In fact, I expect Dimplebore et al will quote Fatty Understains polemic over and over on Torytime.”
Oh, that’s a given, and no mistake.
SHAUN BAILEY, LIKE MOST TORIES, WILL GO TO ANY END, JUMP ON ANY TRUMPED UP LIE, TO DISCREDIT DENT COED, WHO IS VERY MUCH LIKED, IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY!
TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE POINTING THEIR FINGER, WE ON THE LEFT CALL YOU OUT!
COME UP WITH YOUR EVIDENCE!
THAT BEING THE PROVIDER OF IT, PLUS THE ONE THAT STARTED THE LIES!
OR ARE THEY ONE OF THE SAME?
I posted the following today whilst watching Jo Coburn strut her right wing stuff….
Jo Coburn on the Daily Politics trying desperately to undermine the superb work Emma Dent Coad MP on Grenfell fire by following up the right wing Guido Fawkes website.
However, if you want accurate information and factual responses try Skwawkbox and Voxpolitical rather than the Guido who once again trawls thru old post then skews them to his right wing agenda.
EDC was entitled to criticise the individual in question. Tories have rent a quotes available locally and he, Bailey, is one sent out nearly as often as Chris Phelps MP arrives on our screens with his equally vacuous drivel. EDC is doing more substantive work on behalf of her constituency than either of these individuals manage. It is more likely that EDC is a target for criticism to undermine what good works she does.
The BBC once again by this programme supports a severe right wing agenda for itself and Guido.
Forgive my correction but I think “Mr Jasper was not one to show support for Emma Dent Coad” in the last paragraph is intended to read as the more positive phrase “Mr Jasper was not the only one to show support for Emma Dent Coad”.
The phrase must have been corrected because that’s how it reads now. Is it possible that you misread it?
No, was an editing error fixed shortly after
I would guess he was excluded for other reasons, being black was not one of them, although he tried to suggest it was. ‘The Daily Telegraph understands that Mr Bailey believes he was ignored for months by Mr Cameron’s inner circle before being moved to a “non-job” outside the Prime Minister’s office in January.”
Why was he moved quietly to the Cabinet Office, becoming the Government’s “youth and engagement champion”.It was not publicly announced at a time ” Why? It was very difficult for Shaun,” one friend said. “He was never included. He got the distinct impression they tried to keep him away from the Prime Minister.” Why?
The standard reply form Baily seems to be ”Mr Bailey declined to comment” Why?
If he wants celebrity status he has to reply surely, perhaps he should hire an experienced Tory marketing agent to help him?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/10050502/Shaun-Bailey-the-Prime-Ministers-only-black-aide-was-frozen-out-by-David-Camerons-clique.html