Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has faced widespread criticism after remarks he made in March about Birmingham's Handsworth neighbourhood resurfaced. At a Conservative dinner, Jenrick said he did not see another white face during a visit and described the area as 'as close as I've come to a slum in this country.' He later doubled down on the comments at the Conservative party conference, insisting he stood by them.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy accused Jenrick of judging people based on skin colour, while shadow chancellor Mel Stride broke ranks, saying the remarks were 'not words that I would have used.' Green party leader Zack Polanski labelled the comments racist. The Bishop of Birmingham, the Right Rev Dr Michael Volland, warned the remarks could fuel 'toxic nationalism.'
Former Conservative West Midlands mayor Andy Street disputed Jenrick's claim that Handsworth was not integrated, while current Labour mayor Richard Parker expressed anger, stating: 'Birmingham is a proud, diverse city built by generations from every background. We don't separate people by the colour of their skin – and that's what Jenrick has done here.'
Jenrick defended his comments, arguing that it is important to debate integration and that shutting down such discussion could fuel extremism. When asked if he would complain about an all-white area being too monocultural, he said the left makes such arguments about decolonising the countryside. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch backed Jenrick, calling his statement 'factual,' but added that the debate should not focus on 'how many faces people see on the street.'
