Latest news with #eastEuropean
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kemi Badenoch accuses police forces of ‘social engineering'
Kemi Badenoch has accused the police of 'social engineering' following The Telegraph's revelations about a force temporarily blocking job applications from white British people. The Tory leader warned such moves risk 'the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes that ethnic minorities cannot succeed unless a well-meaning Leftie is holding the door open'. It has emerged that several police forces have given preferential recruitment opportunities to ethnic minority candidates and taught officers that they possess 'white privilege'. Mrs Badenoch said she believes in 'meritocracy, not race-based quotas' and warned police forces that 'we are living in dangerous times and we need police who understand that their primary role is to prevent crime and catch criminals, not social engineering'. The Telegraph reported that West Yorkshire Police (WYP) had blocked white British candidates from registering early interest for its constable programme to encourage diversity in the force. The news has raised concerns that police forces are practising a form of positive discrimination when hiring police officers, which could be unlawful. A whistleblower at WYP told The Telegraph that different ethnicities were ranked according to their level of under-representation. The most under-represented groups in the force – black and east Asian candidates – were reportedly ranked 'gold'. South-east Asian candidates were ranked 'silver' while those who fall in the 'White Others' category, including east European and Irish candidates, were ranked 'bronze'. Mrs Badenoch told The Telegraph: 'The era of complacency about our society must end. The mindset of so many in authority – from judges to senior police officers needs a complete reset. 'We are living in dangerous times and we need police who understand that their primary role is to prevent crime and catch criminals, not social engineering. 'Labour show all the signs of being happy with this state of affairs, but Conservatives believe in meritocracy, not race-based quotas, which are bad for society and breed mistrust. 'In particular, the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes that ethnic minorities cannot succeed unless a well-meaning leftie is holding the door open for them.' West Yorkshire Police is the fourth largest force in the country. It employs 19 diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) officers, many of whom also serve as police officers. WYP is thought to spend more on DEI roles than any other police force in England. The force's recruitment page said: 'We are currently accepting applications for the two police constable entry programmes (uniform and detective) from people from our under-represented groups... If you are not from one of these groups, please keep checking this page for future recruitment opportunities.' Defending its hiring policy, WYP has argued that while 23 per cent of people in West Yorkshire are from an ethnic minority background, only nine per cent of its staff are. The force has said ethnic minority applications 'are processed through to the interview stage, but then held until recruitment is opened for everyone'. It added: 'Enabling people from under-represented groups to apply early does not give them an advantage in the application process, it simply provides us with more opportunity to attract talent from this pool of applicants.' Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has defended the force's recruitment practices and said she will not intervene. She said: 'Often, lots of organisations do encourage more applications from under-represented groups, but they also have to make sure that the actual decision-making, the recruitment process is fair and is making sure that it's about getting the best possible candidates into the sorts of jobs that they have.' Chief Constable John Robins, the head of WYP, has hit back at critics and said the law should be changed to boost the number of ethnic minorities in his force and across the country. Thames Valley Police has been teaching police officers that they possess 'white privilege' as part of its new 'equity training' programme. The concept, part of the anti-racist ideology, contends that white people have inherent advantages based on their race because British society is characterised by racial inequality and injustice. On Saturday, The Telegraph revealed that the official police watchdog would compel forces to take 'positive action' to recruit ethnic minorities to ensure that their workforce represents the diversity of their communities. For the first time, the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary will rate forces on how well they promote 'equality, diversity and inclusion' as part of its inspections of all 43 constabularies in England and Wales. The Telegraph also recently revealed that police diversity jobs have increased by almost a third in three years. The number of equality, diversity and inclusion roles in the UK's forces has increased to a total of just under 200, up from fewer than 150 three years ago. Almost £15 million has been spent on such roles since the beginning of the 2021-22 financial year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Kemi Badenoch accuses police forces of ‘social engineering'
Kemi Badenoch has accused the police of 'social engineering' following The Telegraph's revelations about a force temporarily blocking job applications from white British people. The Tory leader warned such moves risk 'the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes that ethnic minorities cannot succeed unless a well-meaning Leftie is holding the door open'. It has emerged that several police forces have given preferential recruitment opportunities to ethnic minority candidates and taught officers that they possess 'white privilege'. Mrs Badenoch said she believes in 'meritocracy, not race-based quotas' and warned police forces that 'we are living in dangerous times and we need police who understand that their primary role is to prevent crime and catch criminals, not social engineering'. The Telegraph reported that West Yorkshire Police (WYP) had blocked white British candidates from registering early interest for its constable programme to encourage diversity in the force. The news has raised concerns that police forces are practising a form of positive discrimination when hiring police officers, which could be unlawful. A whistleblower at WYP told The Telegraph that different ethnicities were ranked according to their level of under-representation. The most under-represented groups in the force – black and east Asian candidates – were reportedly ranked 'gold'. South-east Asian candidates were ranked 'silver' while those who fall in the 'White Others' category, including east European and Irish candidates, were ranked 'bronze'. Mrs Badenoch told The Telegraph: 'The era of complacency about our society must end. The mindset of so many in authority – from judges to senior police officers needs a complete reset. 'We are living in dangerous times and we need police who understand that their primary role is to prevent crime and catch criminals, not social engineering. 'Labour show all the signs of being happy with this state of affairs, but Conservatives believe in meritocracy, not race-based quotas, which are bad for society and breed mistrust. 'In particular, the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes that ethnic minorities cannot succeed unless a well-meaning leftie is holding the door open for them.' West Yorkshire Police is the fourth largest force in the country. It employs 19 diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) officers, many of whom also serve as police officers. WYP is thought to spend more on DEI roles than any other police force in England. The force's recruitment page said: 'We are currently accepting applications for the two police constable entry programmes (uniform and detective) from people from our under-represented groups... If you are not from one of these groups, please keep checking this page for future recruitment opportunities.' Defending its hiring policy, WYP has argued that while 23 per cent of people in West Yorkshire are from an ethnic minority background, only nine per cent of its staff are. The force has said ethnic minority applications 'are processed through to the interview stage, but then held until recruitment is opened for everyone'. It added: 'Enabling people from under-represented groups to apply early does not give them an advantage in the application process, it simply provides us with more opportunity to attract talent from this pool of applicants.' Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has defended the force's recruitment practices and said she will not intervene. She said: 'Often, lots of organisations do encourage more applications from under-represented groups, but they also have to make sure that the actual decision-making, the recruitment process is fair and is making sure that it's about getting the best possible candidates into the sorts of jobs that they have.' Chief Constable John Robins, the head of WYP, has hit back at critics and said the law should be changed to boost the number of ethnic minorities in his force and across the country. Thames Valley Police has been teaching police officers that they possess 'white privilege' as part of its new 'equity training' programme. The concept, part of the anti-racist ideology, contends that white people have inherent advantages based on their race because British society is characterised by racial inequality and injustice. On Saturday, The Telegraph revealed that the official police watchdog would compel forces to take 'positive action' to recruit ethnic minorities to ensure that their workforce represents the diversity of their communities. For the first time, the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary will rate forces on how well they promote 'equality, diversity and inclusion' as part of its inspections of all 43 constabularies in England and Wales. The Telegraph also recently revealed that police diversity jobs have increased by almost a third in three years. The number of equality, diversity and inclusion roles in the UK's forces has increased to a total of just under 200, up from fewer than 150 three years ago. Almost £15 million has been spent on such roles since the beginning of the 2021-22 financial year.
The Guardian
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Towering trunks, disturbing dolls and deep-sea daydreams – the week in art
Giuseppe Penone: Thoughts in the RootsThis veteran environmental artist has been celebrating trees for almost six decades. Does his bark still have bite? Serpentine, London, 3 April to 7 September Dormitorium: The Film Décors of the Quay BrothersCreepy dolls and east European atmosphere from the artists formerly known as the Brothers Quay. Watch out for the stag ejaculant. Swedenborg Society, London, until 4 April Textiles: The Art of MankindAmbitious global overview of textiles as art, from ancient times to our own era. Fashion and Textile Museum, London, until 7 September José María VelascoInformative and scientifically observant views of 19th-century Mexico – but Velasco doesn't rock. Read the full review here. National Gallery, London, 29 March to 17 August UnderseaImaginary worlds of the sea from premodern monsters to contemporary daydreams, with Paul Delvaux and Michael Armitage. Hastings Contemporary, 29 March to 14 September If you don't think this portrait looks much like Donald Trump, you and he are in agreement … bigly! With a laser-like focus on urgent domestic matters, the US president this week bemoaned that the painting hanging in the Colorado state capitol building didn't flatter him and demanded it be taken down. He even found time to insult its creator, saying: 'The artist also did President Obama, and he looks wonderful, but the one on [sic] me is truly the worst. She must have lost her talent as she got older.' Full story here. SAD. Grayson Perry has a new alter ego, who has her own alter ego Spanish artist Joan Miró painted over his mother's portrait A new documentary about female war artists has a cringey title New York's Frick collection is reopening, and it's teeming with masterpieces Photographer and teacher Hicham Benohoud turned his students into art A book about Picasso's lovers might not be the feminist slam dunk it wishes Burmese political prisoner and painter Htein Lin befriended his guards so he could smuggle in paint American artist Thomas Kinkade was a proto-influencer who built a multimillion dollar brand The Avenue at Middelharnis by Meindert Hobbema, 1689Some of the most characterful trees in art soar above a road in this renowned landscape. These Dutch alders have a very distinctive appearance with their fluffy foliage crowns and branchless, but furry leaved, tall trunks. They resemble palm trees in Los Angeles, which might be one reason why David Hockney is fascinated by this work. What Hockney has spoken about and imitated in his own art, however, is Hobbema's complex perspective that he claims has two vanishing points. This is also a highly symbolic view of a humanised landscape. The new Dutch Republic in the 17th century relied for its success, and even survival, on land reclaimed from the sea. The low-lying flat vista here evokes a Dutch world where human intervention shapes nature. It would be barren without the tended, manicured avenue of alders that leads gently into town in a harmonious ideal of nature governed wisely by its human regents. National Gallery, London If you don't already receive our regular roundup of art and design news via email, please sign up here. If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email newsletters@
