Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Will a new Race Equality Act improve race relations?
After the summer riots, UK race relations feel fragile. But some fear labour’s promised new law might be both unnecessary and, worse, could create unnecessary dividing lines, encouraging a racialised view of everyday life. For example, Labour wants to make it mandatory for large companies to report on pay gaps according to ethnicity, bringing it into line with reporting on gaps between men and women’s pay. But is this legislation really necessary, when it is already illegal to pay people less on the basis of their ethnicity?
Why does the Labour Party think British people need more law to improve race relations via eliminating disparities? Is disparity proof of inequality? Might proposed Positive Action schemes create new divisions and resentment in workplaces and schools?
The speakers are:
Albie Amankona: broadcaster; financial analyst; executive member, 2022 Group; vice chair of outreach, LGBT+ Conservatives; co-founder, Conservatives Against Racism
Dr Anna Loutfi: barrister, The Barrister Group; managing partner, DL Law; advisory council member, Don’t Divide Us
Hardeep Singh: journalist, author, ‘Islamophobia’ Revisited; deputy director, Network of Sikh Organisations
Colin Wynter KC: multi-award winning barrister, Maryon Wynter Chambers;
The Chair is:
Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert Director Don’t Divide Us
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 24. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel shortly.
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 40 sessions at the Battle of Ideas 24. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by hitting the thanks button below. Thank You.
#RaceEqualityAct
#LabourParty
#EthnicityPayGap
Will a new Race Equality Act improve race relations?
After the summer riots, UK race relations feel fragile. But some fear labour’s promised new law might be both unnecessary and, worse, could create unnecessary dividing lines, encouraging a racialised view of everyday life. For example, Labour wants to make it mandatory for large companies to report on pay gaps according to ethnicity, bringing it into line with reporting on gaps between men and women’s pay. But is this legislation really necessary, when it is already illegal to pay people less on the basis of their ethnicity?
Why does the Labour Party think British people need more law to improve race relations via eliminating disparities? Is disparity proof of inequality? Might proposed Positive Action schemes create new divisions and resentment in workplaces and schools?
The speakers are:
Albie Amankona: broadcaster; financial analyst; executive member, 2022 Group; vice chair of outreach, LGBT+ Conservatives; co-founder, Conservatives Against Racism
Dr Anna Loutfi: barrister, The Barrister Group; managing partner, DL Law; advisory council member, Don’t Divide Us
Hardeep Singh: journalist, author, ‘Islamophobia’ Revisited; deputy director, Network of Sikh Organisations
Colin Wynter KC: multi-award winning barrister, Maryon Wynter Chambers;
The Chair is:
Dr Alka Sehgal Cuthbert Director Don’t Divide Us
This video was filmed and edited by WORLDwrite volunteers attending the Battle of Ideas Festival 24. These are the introductory speeches only. To avoid duplication, the full debate will feature on the Academy of Ideas YouTube channel shortly.
WORLDwrite volunteers filmed over 40 sessions at the Battle of Ideas 24. To edit, sound clean and prepare these videos for the Academy & WORLDwrite channels, takes at least 2 days each. With no paid staff the charity needs your help to keep its edit suites switched on. Please chip in if you can by hitting the thanks button below. Thank You.
#RaceEqualityAct
#LabourParty
#EthnicityPayGap
