Frank Hester’s racist remarks should be a seminal moment for British politics

‘The failure thus far of the Conservative party to sever its links with Hester … suggests that Rishi Sunak’s supposed concern with “extremism” is so much hypocritical cant.’ Photograph: UK Parliament/Maria Unger/PA

As a person of colour, I, like many others, have shared the outrage provoked by Frank Hester’s comments and the much longer history of racism apparent in everyday life. I also share Diane Abbott’s view that politicians of all political hues have failed to tackle racism in politics (Frank Hester’s ugly words about me are a reminder: all parties, including Labour, must stand against racism, 13 March).

I recently left the role of lay member on the select committee on standards in Westminster. In 2022, I championed the idea, for the first time, of providing customised descriptions of how the Nolan principles should apply to MPs. I was proud of the committee’s decision to propose including in the “leadership” descriptor that MPs should “exemplify anti-discriminatory attitudes in their own behaviour”.