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19th October 2006

Ethnic minorities stepping out of shadows in political link-up

Members of Edinburgh's ethnic minority communities are shadowing politicians in a project to build understanding and encourage more political involvement.

Between now and Christmas, six people, including members of the Capital's Muslim and Polish communities, will shadow Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm, the MSP for Edinburgh North, his MP colleague Mark Lazarowicz and councillors Gordon Munro and Phil Attridge.

The shadows will sit in on constituency surgeries, attend council meetings, visit the Scottish Parliament and the House of Commons and go along to constituency events to get a better idea of what politicians get up to.

Organisers of the project, known as Opening Doors, say the politicians will also get a new insight into the concerns of the communities they represent.

The shadow scheme is being co-ordinated by Leith Open Space Group, set up last year amid fears of rising tension following the 7/7 London bombings.

Rami Okasha, one of the organisers, said: "There had been a couple of unpleasant racist attacks on the mosque in Annandale Street, and we felt we needed to do something to bring people together - particularly people who were living in our community but who did not necessarily feel part of it."

The idea of shadowing politicians emerged during subsequent discussions, which included calls for Scotland's political parties to deliver on their promise to increase ethnic minority representation.

Mr Chisholm said: "We all have something to gain from this project at a particularly important time in the fast-changing society of Scotland. It is vital that our decision-making institutions represent the communities they serve, and it is not right that the Scottish Parliament does not have one ethnic minority representative.

"I hope this scheme will encourage people to feel they can take part in our democratic process. I feel I will gain doubly from taking part, both as a constituency MSP and as Minister for Communities."

The shadowing scheme comes in the wake not only of tensions following terrorist incidents, but also of the controversy sparked by Commons Leader Jack Straw's comments about Muslim women wearing the full veil.

Mr Lazarowicz said: "All sorts of events can lead to increased community tensions. The whole point of this exercise is to build up strong relations which mean that events that threaten these relationships don't end up tearing communities apart."

Community worker Subash Punn, 44, who is shadowing Mr Lazarowicz, comes from an Indian background and has lived in Edinburgh for the past 15 years.

He believes there is a lack of respect between communities and is disturbed by an increase in racist incidents since 7/7.

"We were making progress along the right lines, but it just takes something like the Twin Towers or the London bombings and that progress is wiped out," he said. "It's true Muslim terrorists were responsible for these attacks, but the naivety comes from the white population who tar everyone with the same brush."

Mr Punn said he signed up for the shadowing scheme to learn more about the political process, and hopes the project will help to increase understanding.

"Any positive contact people have with ethnic groups will help," he said.

Opening Doors, which is based on successful shadow schemes run in Bristol and Westminster, will encourage both shadows and politicians to keep a journal of their experiences.

Source: The Scotsman