Chuka Umunna speaks out over racist abuse

Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna has spoken about the racist abuse he received from UKIP supporters after he said that many of them were unable to use the internet. Umunna told the Mirror he was subjected to “vociferous, racist” abuse following the comments about disenfranchised voters.

The Streatham MP said that while he didn’t allow the abuse to affect him, it did reveal the dark side of UKIP’s politics, as well as demonstrate the barriers that still exist for black and minority ethnic people in public life:

“As a black politician or mixed race politician, whatever you want to call me, it goes with the job. But you don’t let it get to you,” he told the Mirror.

He added: “That’s why I don’t think anyone should give any quarter to UKIP.

“I feel that party stokes up fear, division and loathing in our community and seeks to set up different communities against each other.

“The vociferous, racist reaction simply confirms me in the view I have of where that party’s politics will take you.”

“There are very few black politicians and the big difference between me and the politicians whose shoulders I stand on is that I come from a middle-class background,” he said. “That meant I was more likely to make it than other people from my ethnic background and that’s why I am so passionate about it.”