Veteran MP Slams 'Racist' Political Comments
A Black Labour MP with more than 24 years of service in the Royal Air Force has launched a powerful condemnation of what he describes as racist comments from both Reform UK and Conservative politicians. Calvin Bailey, the Member of Parliament for Leyton and Wanstead, accused Reform MP Sarah Pochin and Tory MP Robert Jenrick of betraying their communities and promoting division.
Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage
The controversy centres on two separate incidents that have drawn widespread criticism. Robert Jenrick, the Shadow Justice Secretary, faced backlash after comments made at the Aldridge-Brownhills Conservative Association dinner in March were recently uncovered. According to the Guardian, Jenrick told attendees about his visit to Handsworth in Birmingham, where he claimed he didn't see another white face during an hour and a half of filming.
Jenrick described the area as absolutely appalling and as close as I've come to a slum in this country. He added: That's not the kind of country I want to live in. I want to live in a country where people are properly integrated. Despite claiming his comments weren't about skin colour or faith, the remarks have been widely criticised as divisive.
Meanwhile, Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin came under fire after stating on Talk TV that it drives me mad when I see adverts full of Black people, full of Asian people. Following significant backlash, Pochin claimed her words were poorly phrased and said she hadn't meant to cause offence.
Military Veteran's Powerful Response
Calvin Bailey, drawing on his extensive military background, delivered a robust response to both politicians. In comments written for The Mirror ahead of Remembrance Sunday, Bailey stated: These are not just clumsy remarks. They are racist. He emphasised that the comments expose an exclusionary view of British identity that reduces people to their skin colour.
The Labour MP highlighted the significance of his military service, noting: As a Black British man and a veteran, I carry this day in my heart. I served alongside people from all walks of life, united not by where we came from but by what we stood for.
Bailey connected the current controversy to the broader meaning of Remembrance Sunday, stating: It's about asking ourselves what kind of country we want to be today. Do we honour the sacrifices of the past by building a more just society for our children? Or do we allow the politics of grievance to sow seeds of division?
Defending Britain's Diverse Identity
The veteran politician made a passionate case for diversity as fundamental to British society. Modern British society is not diminished by diversity - it is defined by it, Bailey asserted. He pointed to historical contributions from Commonwealth soldiers in both world wars and more recent efforts by NHS workers during the pandemic as evidence of Britain's multicultural strength.
Bailey directly addressed the responsibility of elected representatives, stating: When a fellow MP talks in this way, it's not a slip – it's a betrayal of the diverse community they are lucky to represent. He emphasised his pride in serving both through his military career and now in Parliament, but vowed never to remain silent when people who look like him are made to feel they don't belong.
In response to Bailey's criticism, a source close to Robert Jenrick defended the Tory MP's comments, stating: This is about having integrated communities. He seems to have fundamentally misunderstood the point for political effect, which the British people are absolutely sick of. Reform UK and Sarah Pochin were contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of reporting.
As Britain approaches Remembrance Sunday, Bailey called for the nation to honour the values they fought for: dignity, unity, and unwavering optimism for the future, while recognising that the Britain worth defending includes all its people as integral parts of the nation's past, present and future.
