Dawn Butler told off for calling racist Reform MP a racist

A Reform MP has been rightfully called out in the Commons for her racist comments. However, in a typically British state of affairs, the deputy speaker chose to reprimand the MP who called her a racist.

So, the first question is – has the Reform MP been racist? Does the pope shit in the woods? On the 25th October, Reform’s Sarah Pochin said in an interview with Talk TV:

It drives me mad when I see adverts full of Black people, full of Asian people, full of, you know, people that basically are anything other than white.

She went on to say, “It doesn’t reflect our society”.

She was met with scorn from many other politicians, including Lib Dem MP Victoria Collins, saying the comments are “divisive and dangerous.” Meanwhile, Zarah Sultana commented “the mask has truly slipped”. Leader of the Lib Dems Ed Davey addressed it directly, saying “this is racism, pure and simple.” It has to be said – it’s rare for any public figures to clearly label something racist, which shows you how racist Pochin was being.

Why is Dawn Butler being told off and not racist Reform?

Of course, instead of completely withdrawing her comments, Pochin half apologised on social media, which, as the Canary’s Willem Moore highlighted, actually amounted to a huge doubling down.

But, when Dawn Butler called for the House of Commons to discipline the Reform MP for her comments, she was the one who received a warning.

Speaking in the Commons, Butler addressed Pochin’s comments:

As the MP for Brent East, one of the most diverse constituencies in the UK, you can be Black and Brown and be British so I’m completely offended by that comment, it is a racist comment madam Deputy Speaker. Can you imagine the constituents of that MP going to see her knowing thats she’s a racist?

She then went on to highlight that Pochin’s comments are in breach of the MP’s code of conduct. However, she was interrupted by deputy speaker Judith Cummins, who, instead of agreeing that the racist comments were unacceptable, turned her scorn to Butler.

She patronisingly said:

Can the honourable lady please reflect on her language and withdraw the remark about another honourable member?

Butler hit back with:

That comment is absolutely a racist comment and if we cannot call that comment out in this House that is in breech of the Nolan Principles for MPs.

The Nolan Principles are a code of conduct for MPs, namely: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership. So, what exactly was the problem with Butler’s remarks?

Don’t call a spade a spade

Cummins was quick to point out that the racist comments weren’t what she’s referring to, but Butler calling Pochin a racist.

So, you can call out racist comments in the House of Commons, but you can’t call someone who makes racist comments a racist. She further drove the knife in by saying in the tone of a pissed off teacher dealing with a petulant student:

If you can please reflect on your remarks of calling a member of this house a racist… it’s important that we all act with respect and set an example to the country.

It shouldn’t need saying, but it’s absolutely vile that a white deputy speaker can hear an account of horrific racist comments and instead of supporting the Black MP, with more than her fair share of experience with racism, police her language. It’s even worse that on top of this, Cummins demanded Butler show Pochin some respect, so as to set a good example.

Butler, looking visibly upset, but probably not shocked, responds that she’s “having de ja vu”, because this is far from the first time she’s faced this pushback for being a Black MP standing up against the racism from other members.

I appreciate that in this house that we are not supposed to be disrespectful and call members of parliament what they actually are… It’s quite strange that I’m unable to call out the member for being a racist, having made a racist comment

Eventually, Butler was forced to withdraw the comment, for fear she would be thrown out of the House.

This begs the question, though, where was this concern for setting an example when MPs of all ilk have repeatedly stood in the Commons and made disparaging remarks about immigrants?

The message here is clear, in this country’s political system, as with most other offices of power: we care more about hurting the feelings of racists than those they hurt by said racist comments.

Featured image via YouTube screenshot/Dawn Butler