13. Debate: Tackling Racism and Race Inequality

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 7:50 pm on 6 October 2020.

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Photo of Neil McEvoy Neil McEvoy Independent 7:50, 6 October 2020

Okay. Diolch yn fawr. I stand here as the first ever Welsh-born elected Member of this Senedd. Many people probably wouldn't know that because it's never been reported. I live racism every day of my life. Many of us—so many of us here—have common experiences, not in this Chamber, of people of colour around Wales. 

I put forward some serious amendments—positive amendments—to try and take things forward. The amendments were accepted by officials but they were, at the very last moment, withdrawn by the Presiding Officer. So, forgive me here now for talking about the irony of this—that we have a discussion on race and racism and how to combat it and the only MS of colour here able to put an amendment had his amendments removed.

The first amendment was from Camilla Mngaza. I'm really thankful to Camilla. Her daughter Siyanda reported a hate crime, but it was never investigated. What Camilla wanted was an amendment—updates to race equality impact assessments, mainly so that there would be more diverse decision makers, and it would be wonderful if we had more diverse decision makers in this building.

The other amendment urged the UK Government to add a module on race and class to the Grenfell inquiry. Another amendment talked about the victims of the Windrush scandal living in Wales. The boxing legend Steve Robinson, his father was affected by the Windrush scandal. What we wanted the Government to do through the amendment was to encourage the UK Government to speed up its progress on compensation. What we also wanted was a review of the implementation of the Lammy review in Welsh prisons and in Wales in the criminal justice system.

But today, in this Parliament, if I can call it that, the only Member of colour able to put an amendment, which is me, I had my voice taken away. For me—