Opinion: There is an assumption that someone from a particular minority group will use their position to advocate in that group’s interests. When it comes to some of the leading contenders to replace Boris Johnson, the opposite is the case, writes Osma...
When the eight candidates in the running to replace Boris Johnson as leader of the Conservative Party were officially revealed on Wednesday, one thing immediately stood out.
But excitement over the racial background of Johnson’s likely successor obscures one of the risks that come with a focus on cultural identity and representation in politics. Just because someone comes from a certain background, or belongs to a particular minority group, doesn’t mean they will use their position to advocate in that group’s interests. In fact, when it comes to some of the leading contenders for the Conservative Party leadership, the opposite is the case.
Eight candidates seeking to replace Boris Johnson as PM. From left to right: Tom Tugendhat, Rishi Sunak, Jeremy Hunt, Kemi Badenoch, Penny Mordaunt, Nadhim Zahawi, Suella Braverman, and Liz Truss.Since announcing his candidacy for the leadership he has restated his support for the Rwanda policy, as have all the leadership candidates – including the others from migrant backgrounds.
Undoubtedly, there is something seductive about the narrative of a “first non-white” or “first female” prime minister, because of the supposed signal it sends about social progress. But without interrogating the ideology behind those firsts, and the kinds of policies they intend to implement for the groups they represent, the signal doesn’t mean anything.
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