6. 6. Debate: Tackling Hate Crime

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:37 pm on 17 October 2017.

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Photo of Carl Sargeant Carl Sargeant Labour 4:37, 17 October 2017

Thank you, Llywydd. A really useful discussion we’ve had, a debate within this Chamber, with many Members contributing today.

Can I pick up on some of the amendments and then some of the comments that have been made first? Turning to the amendments, we’ll be supporting all amendments other than 4, 6 and 7. Amendment 4: the Government opposes the amendment on the basis we consider the tackling hate crime framework to be the appropriate place for the policy on all forms of hate crime, but we’ll ensure that close links are maintained between action on autism and on hate crime, and I listened very carefully to the contribution Mark Isherwood made. I just think it’s where it lands rather than what the principle of this is.

Amendment 6: the Government opposes this amendment in regard to new funding for victim support. Now, we began new funding in April and there’s been no additional budget available at present to increase the number of victim support officers, but I pay tribute to the work that they do, and we will keep this situation under close review and, budget allowing, we’ll consider that carefully.

Amendment 7: the Government opposes this amendment also in Wales, only because—it’s not, again, that we don’t agree with the principle, but what we are already doing in Wales, with the qualified teacher status, already requires teachers to challenge stereotype views, bullying and harassment, following relevant policies and procedures. So, therefore, we already believe there is a duty in place.

Llywydd, many Members made reference to their own personal experiences. Hannah Blythyn brought a very real experience to the Chamber of her online trolling and exposure to individuals who think it’s okay to say it online, it’s not as harmful, but it certainly is, and I’m grateful for the Member standing up and calling out, as she says. Dawn Bowden and the campaign around Show Racism the Red Card, which is on Friday, as the Member says—so please wear red, whatever political persuasion you may be. You’ll be allowed to wear red on Friday, supporting this great campaign that has certainly put Wales on the map and tackles the issues head-on.

John Griffiths mentioned his vision and views around where he grew up, in Pill. I’ve visited Pill on several occasions, visiting that community, and what a fantastic young school they have there. I think the local primary school has around 20 languages, or 20 languages and cultures within the school setting, so it’s an amazing opportunity for children to integrate with each other, and shows a shining light in Pill about what can be done when people come together. I also congratulate the Crush Hate Crime and Rock Against Racism programme that the Member talked about. Sorry, I wasn’t able to make it, but I’m sure it will flourish in the future. Actually, the community of Newport, and many others as well, should be congratulated on the way that they go about creating community cohesion within their very diverse communities, which the Member represents as well.

Neil Hamilton raised some issues. He started his debate with when he was young he said there was less prejudice. What I hope he didn’t mean by saying that there was less prejudice then was that there’s acceptable prejudice now. Because what I do see—the Member alluded to and said that there are no far-right extreme parties of any number in the UK now. I’d probably disagree with him because, actually, we see on a regular basis, on a daily basis, where individuals, groups of individuals, have far-right extreme views, and we must stop that now. In fact, his party paraded refugees on a poster on the side of a bus, and if they were white British people, they wouldn’t have had the same impact there, Neil. So, I think we have to learn by our mistakes and accept the fact that sometimes we get things wrong and sometimes we should apologise to the people of Wales and the people of the UK. [Interruption.] I will give way to the Member, yes.