Councillors call for more action on class prejudice

BRISTOL opposition councillors have called for more to be done to tackle prejudice and inequality in the city.

The Green group called on Bristol City Council to address “class prejudice” while the Conservatives said the authority’s efforts were limited to certain groups within City Hall.

The council began work in 2018 to eliminate discrimination and ensure people from different backgrounds have similar life opportunities, launching a five-year equality and inclusion strategy.

The work included efforts to improve working conditions, recruitment and promotion for Black and ethnic minority council staff, some of whom complained of a “toxic culture” at the local authority in early 2019.

The council celebrated its progress against the aims of the 2018-2023 strategy last week, with three reports charting its achievements presented to a full council meeting.

Deputy mayor for communities Asher Craig said the reports show the council has “come a long way” and is now “among national leaders in equality, diversity and inclusion”.

Cllr Craig said:“We’ve made good progress on every aim in the strategy... although I acknowledge we can always go further.”

Newly elected Green member Tony Dyer drew particular attention to the need to address class prejudice, which he said was a “major barrier” to progress in the city.

Cllr Dyer, who represents Southville, said: “Some of us, both in this room and across the city, also face barriers to success because of where we live or grew up, because of our family background, because of our class. There exists in this city a sharp division based on accent. We know what high-paid executives born in this city sound like and we know what lowpaid cleaners born in the city sound like.”

Conservative member Geoff Gollop launched a scathing attack on the council’s approach to tackling inequalities, saying more importance was placed on some disadvantaged groups than others. He said groups such as the elderly, children with special educational needs, and adults with special needs cut equally across “race, colour, gender and sexuality”, but were suffering as a result of failures in or cuts to council services.

Cllr Gollop said: “It seems to me that some equalities are being treated as more equal than others. I ask members: Is this fair? I don’t think so.”

❝ There exists in this city a sharp division based on accent

Cllr Tony Dyer