The conviction of the former Minneapolis police officer Derek
Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd was greeted with relief
by those who feared his acquittal would reignite racial tensions
in America. A thorough trial, albeit one firmly in the political
spotlight, considered all the evidence and a jury reached its
verdict beyond reasonable doubt. The justice system worked as
it should, without fear or favour.
Joe Biden, who even before the verdict was delivered
proclaimed publicly that the evidence against Chauvin was
“overwhelming”, said the outcome was a platform on which to
build better race relations in America. The events since Floyd’s
death, with the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement,
certainly demonstrate that these are needed.
It is disconcerting, however, to find campaigners in this country
seeking to find parallels with what has happened across the
Atlantic. There is no comparison. Race relations in the UK, while
by no means perfect, are infinitely better than in America and,
indeed, than in most other countries. Dr Tony Sewell’s
commission, which had the temerity to point this out, continues to be
trashed by those who would rather foment division than seek to improve the
During a heated Commons debate on the report, Marsha de
Cordova, Labour’s spokesman, suggested policy should take its
lead from the BLM movement. Fortunately, the redoubtable
Kemi Badenoch, the minister for equalities, was having none of
it, declaring: “She is clearly determined to create a divisive
atmosphere around race and we will not stand for it.” Ms
Badenoch’s ministerial colleagues need to back her up just as
forcefully.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/...erica-britain/