Labour politicians in Birmingham have condemned remarks made by Robert Jenrick after he called the Handsworth area “one of the worst-integrated places” he had ever been to.
In a recording reportedly made during a dinner at Aldrige-Brownhills Conservative Association and published by the Guardian, Jenrick said he had not seen “another white face” in the hour-and-a-half he spent in Handsworth filming a video about litter.
The Labour leader of Birmingham Council described the Conservative MP’s comments as “racism” this morning while Richard Parker, West Midlands Mayor, called them “disgraceful”.
“It shows a complete lack of respect for the people of our region,” the Labour Mayor said. “Handsworth is a community where people of different backgrounds all live and work side by side.
“Birmingham is a proud, diverse city built by generations from every background.
“We don’t separate people by the colour of their skin – and that’s what Jenrick has done here with his comments. I’m incredibly sad but also very angry.”
He continued: “What also concerns me, is that there were Conservative politicians in that room, from our region, and they didn’t speak up
“Silence in the face of this kind of rhetoric is not leadership.”
Mr Parker said people deserved more than politicians “who talk our region down for political point scoring”.
“They deserve respect – and a government that focuses on fixing the issues that matter to them,” he said.
“Not politicians that turn up for an hour with a video camera to show you how they spent 14 years abandoning and ignoring our region.”
Cllr John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, said Mr Jenrick “knows nothing about Birmingham”.
“All he wants to do is sow division — this is racism, plain and simple and he isn’t welcome here,” he said.
“As usual all the Tories want to do is talk Birmingham down.
“Instead of insulting Brummies, Jenrick should be apologising to us for the damage 14 years of Tory government caused to our city.”
Coun Cotton said he was proud of Birmingham and described it as a “diverse, resilient, and talented city full of energy and determination”.
“Our city will always stand firm against division,” he added.
“This is something opportunists like Jenrick will never understand – and why Birmingham has repeatedly rejected the divisive politics he peddles.”
On Monday evening, Jenrick stood by his remarks, saying: “Six separate government reports over 20 years have highlighted the problem of parallel communities and called for a frank and honest conversation about the issue.
“The situation is no better today. Unlike other politicians, I won’t shy away from this issue.
“We have to integrate communities if we are to be a united country.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she did not know the context of the recording but that Jenrick may have been “making an observation” about his visit to the area.
“I wasn’t there so I can’t say how many faces he saw, but the point is that there are many people in our country who are not integrating,” she told BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, adding she was “very worried about what is happening in Birmingham”.
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