Labour must double the number of BAME MPs, says Yvette Cooper

Cooper is in the running to be Labour’s next leader. This announcement comes ahead of a BAME leadership and deputy leadership hustings, which will take place this evening in Harrow. Prior to the last election there was also criticism from within the party that there was a “shameful” lack of BAME candidates in key seats. Labour currently has 23 minority ethnic MPs.

The shadow home secretary has also argued that there must also be greater diversity in the police, armed forces and civil service.  She has said that she will outline her plans to increase diversity over the course of the leadership contest.

So far Cooper has said that if she became Prime Minister she would implement a legal requirement on police forces to increase diversity. This would include launching a consultation on legislating for a New York-style “affirmative action” plan for recruitment practices.  The police department in New York has 40 officers who recruit from minority ethnic communities, they also encourage applicants who speak languages other than English to apply and they give serving officers the opportunity to learn other languages.  

Cooper has said she will call for greater diversity in the armed forces. She has also responded to a report from the National Audit Office yesterday, which showed that the number of BAME people – as well as the number of women and disabled people –  is lower than it should be in the civil service, particularly at senior levels. She has said would require an annual report from each Government department, outlining how they have recruited more BAME members of staff at all levels of government.