Is Race slipping down the agenda

The first nine commissioners in the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) have been announced by Communities secretary Ruth Kelly this week. With the exception of Trevor Phillips, who has been appointed to chair the commission, there are no representatives among the new appointees who have a background in ‘Race’ equality.

What does this mean for ethnic communities within the UK? During his time at the Commission for Racial Equality, it could be argued that Phillips pushed for assimilation rather than integration, arguing that we all need to adopt ‘britishness’ and not try to maintain a separatist or isolationist view within our communities.

According to reports in the Guardian¹ , this view has set him in direct opposition to Mayor Ken Livingstone and his race advisor Lee Jasper. In addition the 1990 Trust Black Information Network reported ‘Work has already begun on a Race and Faith Manifesto and follow up for a new grassroots Coalition for Race and Faith Equality (CRFE).’

The government plan to advertise for a further five CEHR commissioners in January.

¹ http://www.guardian.co.uk/race/story/0,,1958967,00.html