A POLITICAL storm has erupted after a would-be Tory councillor said she would not want an ethnic minority colleague standing for parliament in her constituency.
Joan Howarth, a member of the Denton and Reddish Conservative branch, said running an ethnic minority candidate "wouldn't work" for the area and would lose votes. Her claim was immediately rejected by Conservative leader David Cameron, who said Mrs Howarth was "in the wrong party".
But Mrs Howarth refused to back down and said she had already begun canvassing the Denton West ward which she will fight for the Tories on May 4.
The row is set to cause the Conservatives massive embarrassment at the close of a successful party conference at the Manchester International Convention Centre.
Mr Cameron urged colleagues to face up to the need to become a "modern and compassionate" party that could broaden its appeal in cities like Manchester. And in an exclusive M.E.N. interview, he defended his attack on the UK Independence Party in another race row.
Traditional
Mrs Howarth was asked in a TV interview if she thought picking a candidate from an ethnic minority at the next election would lose the Tories votes.
She said: éYes, because we are in a traditional working-class constituency. It wouldnét work for us. It wouldnét work for us at all. To each his own.é
Mr Cameron said Mrs Howarth was éabsolutelyé wrong. He said: éShe is in the wrong party She is unrepresentative of the modern Conservative party. At the last election we had more candidates from the black and ethnic minority communities than any other party.é
Selection
Morag White, chairman of Greater Manchester East Conservatives, said: éEvery local Conservative party in Britain will select a parliamentary candidate against the one criteria that matters é is this the best person for the job?é
At her home in Denton, Mrs Howarth said: éIém in the right party. It would depend on the candidates themselves.
"You just pick the best candidate for your constituency. Ashton has a high ethnic community, and obviously an ethnic candidate would go down better than one would here.
éWe choose the candidate which suits our community. We donét want Central Office to say who we have to have in this community.é
Tory sources said under electoral law it was too late to stop Mrs Howarth standing as the official Tory candidate, even if they wanted to.
Hazel Blears, Home Office minister and Labour MP for Salford, said: éIf she is a reflection of the modern Tory party then they have a long way to go.é
What do you think? Should the local party have the final say? Have your say below.
Tweet
Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Colin W, Stockholm (10/04/2006 at 10:04)
Ricky G, Whitefield (10/04/2006 at 10:26)
Dave Bowman, Altrincham (10/04/2006 at 11:55)
Mrs V Angry, Manchester (10/04/2006 at 12:15)
Nick, Chelmsford (10/04/2006 at 12:33)
Well done to Mrs Howarth for not being afraid to speak her mind.
Jonny, Hollingworth (10/04/2006 at 12:41)
Brez, Withington (10/04/2006 at 12:51)
Katy Dunnett, Salford. (10/04/2006 at 12:54)
John M, Rusholme (10/04/2006 at 13:05)
James Bancroft., Manchester University. (10/04/2006 at 13:12)
It happened to Walter Wolfgang when he didn't agree with a certain part of Labour Party policy.
John Deltoid, Manchester (10/04/2006 at 13:17)
Cameron hasn't got a clue and will lead the Tories further into the political wilderness than they are already
Steve, Bury (10/04/2006 at 13:50)
Rita Wolstenholme, Radcliffe, Nr Bury. (10/04/2006 at 14:35)
Bob T. Henshaw., Astley Bridge, Bolton. (10/04/2006 at 15:44)
I am a life-long Conservative voter, Mr Cameron, for all his talk, as already got me thinking about 'changing' where I put my vote. I will abstain from voting in the local elections this May, because of the Cameron factor. This for the first time in 22 years.
If we are only going to have another New Labour MKII project from the likes of Mr Cameron, then perhaps we are better off sticking with the real thing? At least we already know what the damage is.
If he persists with this tacked - Mr Cameron could be in very serious danger of not being able to "change" a thing.
Sam, Manchester (10/04/2006 at 16:24)
It won't be too long before it is illegal to have an opinion, let alone express it!!
Ollie, Denton, Manchester (10/04/2006 at 16:24)
sue, ashton under lyne (10/04/2006 at 16:35)
Some candidates wouldnt work well in certain areas and anyone with common sense can see this.
Gina Pryce, Stockport (10/04/2006 at 18:07)
Stuart, Audenshaw, Manchester (10/04/2006 at 19:06)
I don't approve of positive discrimination but I think the lady was wrong to say what she did, it is just the tories playing the race card again, but in a more subtle way.
humbelly, Denton (10/04/2006 at 19:07)
Denis Cooper, Berkshire (10/04/2006 at 21:45)
But having said that, she could well be wrong! Windsor Tories chose a black candidate in 2005, he's popular and proving to be a good MP, and it makes no difference that almost all his constituents are white.
Most people are pretty fair minded, and they'd judge an ethnic minority candidate on his or her personal qualities.
Jimmy B, Whalley Range (10/04/2006 at 22:06)
When one person dares to utter a contrary view on applicants for a more 'traditional' area -its viewed as pure racism.Hmmm??
Mohammed, Manchester (10/04/2006 at 23:02)
Henry, Scotland (10/04/2006 at 23:03)
John., Prestwich, Manchester (11/04/2006 at 08:52)