Following a 35 year reign of Blackburn, MP Jack Straw announces
retirement
Written by Mohammed Salim Patel in Blackburn
The Former Home Secretary has said he will be retiring from
politics. But in the decades as Blackburn MP what has he done to create
cohesion between Whites and Asians in the town; which he refers to as being his
soul?
Arte Et Labore is Latin for By Skill
and Hard Work. Even though this phrase is commonly related to Blackburn Rovers
Football Club and was coined by Blackburn legend Jack Walker. Looking at the
history of Blackburn and the work of its current constituent MP Arte Et Labore describes both humbly.
On May 3rd 1979,
at the age of 32, Jack Straw became the MP for Blackburn, a town which has a
great layer of history and importance especially for the significant mill trade
it once occupied. However, travelling through the town there is a clear divide
of areas populated with Whites only and only Asian populated areas with very
little cohesion.
Asians were called over by the British in the 1970s to help in the
mill industry for their skills and labour. After the 1981 recession and closure
of the mills, the town was affected hugely; Asian males were particularly hit
hard.
In the two years after the recession White male employment rose
from 8% to 16% then down to 10%. Asian male employment however went from 10%
employed down to 45% of Asian males in Blackburn unemployed and stayed there
for years. Half of the Asian population in the town had no jobs and therefore
had to move to areas where houses were cheaper to buy. This is when the
segregation started. From 1981 to 2013 there has been an increase of nearly
25,000 Asians in the town and the White population has decreased.
Mr Straw sympathises with the Whites because their town and the
landmarks they have grown up with are no longer existent. This can be seen by
many Churches now being turned into Mosques. When these figures were presented
to Mr Straw’s constituents many were surprised.
Mohammed Patel, 38, a joint restaurant owner, which is based on
the corner of where Mr Straw’s office is on Richmond Terrace expressed in
between taking food orders:
“I thought that at least half of the town’s population was Asian
dominated but this is because as a Blackburn Asian resident, the areas that I
visit, are all populated with Asians so therefore in my eyes because the
majority of the time all I see are Asians I think the town is mostly populated
by them.”
“I love working in my restaurant because I get to meet new people
every day. But the segregation is clear to me. However I do see this changing
because of Jack Straw’s work.”
Gill who is a 54 year old retired teacher hesitantly said:
“My parents grew up in the town and my grandchildren now also live
in Blackburn.”
She paused. Then said talking about the Whites:
“it’s not our town anymore. We are getting pushed out slowly but surely.
Mr Straw’s done nothing for us Whites, he’s only focused on listening to what
them Asians have to say.” She stopped talking probably worried of what she just
said. She continued on into M&S.
A scheme to help create cohesion is the Blackburn Youth Zone, a
scheme which Jack Straw has actively supported. It gives an opportunity for the
town’s youngsters to interact through many activities and projects with the
hope to get the young Whites and Asians of Blackburn mixing.
Even though Jack Straw has his critics, principally following his
support of the second gulf war, many of his constituents and opponents have
praised him for the work he has done for the town.
Conservative Councillor of Blackburn Mike Lee who was elected in
1996 said:
“I disagree with Mr Straw’s political views on a National basis
however, what he has done for Blackburn is very commendable. Even when he was
Home Secretary and Justice Minister he would always come back to the town to
solve constituency problems. He has put Blackburn on the map”
Jack Straw passionately said:
“It was a childhood ambition to be an MP and it has been a
privilege to represent such a wonderful place. Blackburn is my soul”
Word Count: 723
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