The Voice; ‘take the money and run’ 5th October 1993

About this item

This 1993 article from The Voice features MP Bernie Grant discussing the controversial topic of voluntary repatriation for Black people in Britain. Grant acknowledges the growing debate around racial tensions and explores the possibility of government-supported repatriation as a response to ongoing racism. His remarks sparked significant discussion about race relations and the future of Black British communities.

Key points:
– Bernie Grant suggested that the UK government should consider paying Black people to leave Britain voluntarily due to persistent racism.
– He referenced an ICM poll showing over a third of Britons supported forced Black repatriation.
– Grant highlighted complaints from Black constituents expressing a desire to be repatriated and demanding compensation for slavery and colonialism impacts.
– He made these comments during a 25th-anniversary meeting of Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech, acknowledging some validity in Powell's forecast of racial conflict.
– Labour's Black Socialists Society chair Gloria Mills opposed assisted repatriation, warning it could empower far-right groups.

Bernie Grant was a prominent Black British Labour MP known for challenging systemic racism and advocating for anti-racist policies. This article exemplifies his willingness to engage openly with difficult issues like repatriation amid rising racial tensions in the early 1990s. The discussion reflects broader debates on race, migration, and reparations that have shaped Black British political activism and local government responses.

Source note: The OCR transcript shows some typographical inconsistencies typical of scanned newspapers, but the main points and context remain clear and reliable for interpretation.