Answer the question – an ethnic minority PM
With the general election looming, we ask: Will ever be a Prime Minister from the ethnic minorities?
| There is still this stigma attached to people of colour rising professionally above white people. |
A British PM from the ethnic minorities? Hah! That could win an award for the best joke ever. Nobody non-white will take a step into the great 10 Downing Street. Why? Because some voters think they're not good enough, but they'd probably do it just as well, if not better. The problem is, people don't realise that we're all the same. 'But they're a different colour', they say. Are they serious? It's only the inside that counts, not the outside.
Onome Edgeworth, 11
The chances of Eminem not using profanity in his next album is probably more likely than the chance of there ever being a black PM. That's just the way it is. Even though slavery has been abolished and laws have been passed to prevent discrimination, there is still this stigma attached to people of colour rising professionally above white people. But if there were a black PM, this would be a definite sign of encouragement for young black people.
Della-Hicks Wilson, 15
The real question is do we want one and would that person be ethnic enough, or would they face the same problems as EastEnders's Alan Jackson. We would need to feel that our views and cultures are represented, be it African, Indian or West Indian. It's not as if we'd want half of the pubs in London to be turned into Suya spots, dancehalls or curry houses. But exactly what would be gained by the presence of a black PM? When we as a community has an answer to that question, we will then be able to say when.
Senab Adekunle, 18
There may never be a PM from an ethnic minority, although we have a long way in terms of our presence in occupations like the police and army. The fact that ethnic minorities are a minority in this country makes it highly unlikely that the majority population would ever vote for a non-white PM. So, although we can hope and dream, logically there may never be one".
Gillian Antwi, 14
"In a society which is 96 per cent white and only four per cent are from the ethnic minorities, it's little wonder that there has never been an ethnic minority PM? At present, parliament can boast ethnic minority MP's but I'm slightly sceptical. Is this merely the filling of quotas as opposed to real equality? Even during the elections for London Mayor, Trevor Phillips was only one black candidate. I was disappointed at his inability to see the matter to its finish.
Tinu Adeniji-Adele, 17
There is always the possibility as long as black people remain in politics. However, the likelihood seems very small, mainly because the majority of the country is white, and the small groups from ethnic minorities fail to take an interest in political matters. The real question is whether Britain wants a Prime Minister that is from an ethnic background. The answer is no.
Naomi Marshall, 18
About the team
The Answer the question panel are members of Children's Express London bureau. This column was published as part of Teen Talk, the Children's Express page in New Nation.
