Tory councillor quits over remarks about race

[Justine202]

"A councillor has resigned from the Conservative Party over remarks made about children from ethnic minorities.

John Cherry claimed Pakistani children would fail to "rise to the top" and that some nationalities were "uncertain" when it came to hard work.

He was commenting on plans for an Eton-style boarding school in West Sussex."

I'm gobsmacked - have we just reverted to the 60's?

Anyone have any comments?

Gad to hear he has resigned from the Tory party. I did think he ought to step down as a councillor, but apparently when he ran Ukip had the only other candidate, so I suppose it would be going from bad to worse? I was fuming when I saw this though as my ex is Jamaican so my two oldest kids are black, and my DH is Pakistani origin. I can't imagine how hurt they would be if they saw this.

Aside from being offensive, it's also factually incorrect. Well accepted that children from families with an Asian heritage are more likely to outstrip other ethnicities educationally, even when household income is taken into account. Work ethic very strong.

CogitoErgoSometimes

Aside from being offensive, it's also factually incorrect. Well accepted that children from families with an Asian heritage are more likely to outstrip other ethnicities educationally, even when household income is taken into account. Work ethic very strong.

That's rather a broad brush you're painting there. Isn't it the case that Bangladeshi families have the lowest incomes and the fewest number of children in higher education?

The resignation was inevitable. Once the Guardian pulled its Huffing Knickers up above its waistline, Cameron caved in and told the councillor to sling his hook.

This is about a school in Lambeth, where the Head has developed an idea for a state boarding school in order to support the academic and social development of young people who could otherwise fall into risky behaviour (as I understand it, apologies to the school if this is not the vision). The school is, i think, being finded from entrepreneurial activities on the primary school site. It is a high performing school with a real will to improve young lives and avert young people away from gangs and disaffection in a v tough area.

John Cherry said HIDEOUS things:

"Ninety-seven per cent of pupils will be black or Asian. It depends what type of Asian. If they?re Chinese they?ll rise to the top. If they?re Indian they?ll rise to the top. If they?re Pakistani they won?t.

There are certain nationalities where hard work is highly valued. There are certain nationalities where they are uncertain what this hard work is all about.

If the children are not allowed out of the site then it will make them want to escape into the forest ? it will be a sexual volcano.?

'Referring to Stockwell as a ?coloured area?, he added: ?To be honest, I would far rather Durand took over a secondary school in London rather than shoving everybody here.? '

An 'Eton style' boarding school? What nonsense.

"If the children are not allowed out of the site then it will make them want to escape into the forest ? it will be a sexual volcano."

Dear lord. If it were him or UKIP I really rather think I'd vote UKIP

The whole protest by local people is wildly prejudiced, too, if you ask me.

the building has previously been used as a boarding school, so i don't see how they can complain about extra traffic.

And this school isn't planned as a referral unit or some kind of latter day borstal - it is a school for children who are doing well, to give them the best chance so that local and family circumstances do not impact negatively on them. They won't need to be 'searched daily for weapons' as one resident asserts - they come from a high achieveing Outstanding school where the Head wants thier achievemnets to continue.

It is true that in certain areas around S London some perfectly decent young people can get sucked into gangs and anti-social behaviour because they see it as the only way they can protect themselves. The Head wants to break that cycle and remove them from risk. It is also true that the vast majority of young people in the Brixton / Stockwell area are not remotely violent, criminal or anti-social. They are normal young people, many of them doing well at school and making a spoitive contribution.

The whole reaction by residents and this revolting man is racist through and through.