UK equalities minister: racism and sexism have become normalised
Britain's equalities minister Bridget Phillipson has warned that racist and sexist attitudes are becoming normalised, criticising opposition politicians and police, while defending the government's planned under-16 social media ban.
Bridget Phillipson, the UK's minister for women and equalities, has said she is increasingly concerned that racist and sexist attitudes are becoming normalised across British society. Speaking to the Guardian's Politics Weekly podcast, she said young men are being drawn into violent misogyny, driven in part by social media and by rhetoric from certain politicians.
Phillipson singled out shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy of the Conservatives and Reform's Robert Jenrick for criticism, accusing both of making racist statements in recent years. She recalled that Timothy had described Muslims praying in Trafalgar Square as an "act of domination," while Jenrick had previously complained about not seeing "another white face" during a visit to an area of Birmingham. She described these remarks as fundamentally racist.
Neither Reform nor the Conservatives responded to requests for comment.
Criticism of police and early prisoner releases
Phillipson also criticised the police for failing to take violence against women and girls seriously enough, pointing to decades of shortcomings in their response. At the same time, the governing Labour party faces criticism over its plan to release 5,000 prisoners early to ease overcrowding, which some see as undermining seriousness about violence against women.
Phillipson defended Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to tighten immigration rules, arguing that public trust in the migration system is essential.
Personal clash with the opposition
For the first time, Phillipson spoke at length about her clash with opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, who had called her a "spiteful class warrior" over her earlier decision to raise taxes on private school fees. Phillipson, who comes from a working-class family in north-east England, said some opponents would prefer she "got back in her box."
She also praised the effect of new prime minister Andy Burnham's leadership, saying it has brought renewed energy and hope to the party, while denying any plans for an early general election.
