| STATESIDE We’re too white and too male
“In neighbouring Coventry, two thirds identify as White British, a statistic that is broadly reflected across the rest of the conurbation. Birmingham is soon going to be a ‘majorityminority’ city – but this is not obvious when you look at the make-up of decision-makers in the city region.”
Mr Street’s “urban Conservatism” looks suspiciously like an updated version of the “one-nation” Conservatism espoused by many Tories, although he highlights the significance to regions such as the West Midlands.
He said: “Diversity defines modern Britain. I have often written about Urban Conservatism and the new brand of politics we are pioneering in the West Midlands.
“This new approach is about inclusivity and opportunity for a young and diverse population, and I have tried to be a Mayor who represents everyone – all places, faiths, ethnicities, genders, sexualities and (dis) abilities.
“But if the message of Urban Conservatism is to resonate, we have to ensure that inclusivity not only means reaching out to the communities that make up modern Britain, but that they are represented in all walks of life and at all levels.”
What is the mayor actually doing to help?
He highlighted the launch of a “Leadership Commission”, made up of independent commissioners and chaired by Anita Bhalla OBE, Chair of Town Hall and Symphony Hall in Birmingham. Her accomplishments include setting up the BBC Asian Network.
Its report, compiled by researchers at the University of Birmingham among others, found that women are better represented in leadership roles in the public sector than in the private sector, where they are significantly under-represented, and that people from black and ethnic minority groups are under-represented in senior leadership positions both in education and the private sector.
The evidence also highlighted how disabled employees are under-represented in professional roles in the public sector, but not the private sector in the West Midlands.
The mayor says he has been recruiting organisations to join something called the “Inclusive Leaders’ Forum”, which is committed to improving the diversity of leadership in their organisations through better recruitment, retention and promotion.
Members so far include local councils, the NHS, big employers like PwC, KPMG, universities and major retailers like Selfridges along with small businesses.
In January the body will launch a recruitment drive to recruit a thousand more organisations in the West Midlands.
It’s clearly the right thing to do, but Mr Street also has an ulterior motive, as he made clear in an appeal to his fellow Conservatives.
His party cannot allow Labour to position itself as the only party for people from minority communities, he said.
“Urban Conservatism’s message of hope, opportunity and progress resonates with all communities – and we now need to show that we are serious about truly representing the people in them,” he says.
“Although there is so much still to do, we are starting to change the way our Party is viewed in traditional Labour areas. Labour do not and should not have a monopoly on votes from certain communities."