Dr James Chan, Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for St Helens South and Whiston, spoke today on a panel organised by the BBC Chinese Service, with other ethnically Chinese candidates from other main parties.
Discussion at the event looked at why the Chinese population is less political, less well represented, and less likely to be registered to vote. Other topics explored what has prompted more Chinese candidates to run during this election, what the personal reasons are for us running in the party of choice, racial differences in pay and employment.
Speaking after the event, Dr. Chan said:
"The Green Party is a party that stands for values of tolerance, inclusivity, and diversity. A part of the reason that I decided to run as a candidate with The Green Party is its anti-austerity stance and its pursuit of ecological sustainability at its core. These are issues that affect us all, regardless of ethnicity. We reject the false solution that is austerity, that it is a distraction from the true causes of our economic problems.
"The anti-immigrant narrative that has developed over the years by the main parties falsely lays the problems of inequality, inadequate housing, unemployment and poverty at the feet of our immigrant community (1). These issues affect all people regardless of their ethnicity or immigration status. We need a government committed to tackling these issues on behalf of everyone, not stigmatising minority or vulnerable communities."
ENDS
1. https://www.opendemocracy.net/transformation/chitra-nagarajan/how-politicians-and-media-made-us-hate-immigrants
The Green Party of England and Wales, Press Office - 020 7549 0315, press@greenparty.org.uk