This is an inaccurate, misleading and *entirely un-nuanced* claim about Keir Starmer's response to the Race Commission report. Disappointed to see @GoodwinMJ so over-simplify his nuanced response to the "nuanced report"
This is Starmer. "On the one hand there is an acknowledgement of the problems ... on the other hand, there is a reluctance to accept that that's structural". This is misdescribed by @GoodwinMJ as calling the British people racist. That is very *un-nuanced*
Here is Samir Shah of the Race Commission, saying that it does recognise institutional racism. (In the terms of the Matt Goodwin piece, we could now say the Race Commission is calling the British people racist by accepting the Macpherson definition)
One can definitely criticise tone & content of Lab MPs (eg KKK images) or other academic responses.
This is untrue factually of what Starmer
That "by extension" should be challenged. Its a hyper-polarising move, which simply misdescribes & closes down debate on systemic racism
Thread on the Systemic/Institutional racism debate.
Some talk radio or red-top columnists did go for "Macpherson called the British people racists" 20 years ago. But it's not possible to polemicise in that way & claim to be contributing to nuanced debate
Labour has important challenges on race. (So do the Conservatives, of a different kind). Should seek to find common ground.
Acknowledging structural factors is "by extension calling British people racist" is not something Straw & Blair (Macpherson) or Cameron, May govts thought.
Personally, I was surprised so few people (38%) say disagree, while 30% agree, when asked an unhelpfully binary question. (Strongly disagree/Strongly agree is smaller still)
Many people want a better, less binary and, yes, more nuanced debate please.
Just 17% of white British people 'strongly disagree' with Britain is systemically racist
(23% tend to disagree).
While 28% agree (8% strongly)
Just 17% of ethnic minorities "strongly agree" that it is systemically racist.
(26% more tend to agree).
26% disagree (10% strongly)
Prof Goodwin responds. He does not think it is misleading about Starmer (I disagree) and/or Labour/academics (OK, if want to conflate Starmer & Lewis) (& Prof Gopal too!). Lots of voters don't like Britain being called racist. (I agree)
Racism is a serious problem today has 77% support acc to @MiC_Global ... it is not a narrowly held view of people who think saying this is calling Britain racist
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