Everyone’s face-palming into next week over an MP’s description of BAME people – 15 stunned reactions
Yesterday was something of a huge political news day, with the resignation from the Labour Party of seven backbenchers, including big names, Luciana Berger and Chuka Umunna. One of the seven demonstrated that, at a time when a day is a long time in politics, it only takes four hours to completely screw up your narrative.
Appearing on Politics Live to discuss the problem of racism, newly Independent MP, Angela Smith, described people from the BAME community as ” a funny tinge”, sending the internet into a meltdown.
It’s the most cringe-worthy thing we’ve seen in a while, and we saw Mike Pence awkwardly waiting for applause.
did Angela Smith on live BBC TV just now *actually*, when talking about BME people, say "it's not just about being black or a funny tinge"?!?!??!?!!?? jesus fucking christpic.twitter.com/WKFwST0V9N
— Michael Segalov (@MikeSegalov) February 18, 2019
It’s not a good look, and particularly ironic when you’ve just cited institutional bigotry as being one reason for leaving your lifelong party. These are some of the most noteworthy reactions.
1.
Quick note everyone. We’re not saying BAME or POC, we’re now going with “Funny tinge”. I am a proud British FT. https://t.co/IHVV3urspE
— Nish Kumar (@MrNishKumar) February 18, 2019
2.
Of course she's not racist. Some of her best friends are a funny tinge.
— Aditya Chakrabortty (@chakrabortty) February 18, 2019
3.
https://twitter.com/CorbynistaTeen/status/1097526064094605312
4.
How black do you have to be to count as black and not a #FunnyTinge?
— Priyamvada Gopal (@PriyamvadaGopal) February 18, 2019
5.
I'm hearing rumours that 6 MPs could be about to resign from The Independent Group citing concerns about racism #laboursplit #funnytinge
— Ed Poole (@edwardpoole1975) February 18, 2019
6.
If The Independent Group @TheIndGroup is serious about tackling racism it must immediately expel @angelasmithmp and make clear it has a zero tolerance policy on racism. Or is it already a hostile environment for black people? #funnytinge https://t.co/ohZndq288J
— joseph harker (@josephharker) February 18, 2019
7.
"We want to leave the Labour Party because it is institutionally racist."
"How would you describe people in non-white communities?"
"I think I'd say, 'Black or a funny tinge'." https://t.co/pjmzHFe3nJ— Ralph Jones (@OhHiRalphJones) February 18, 2019
8.
A staggering 14% of all Independent Group's members have already been involved in racist controversies.
They must surely now seek to instigate an urgent inquiry into this clearly endemic problem.#FunnyTinge #AngelaSmith #InstitutionallyRacist
— Evolve Politics (@evolvepolitics) February 18, 2019
9.
https://twitter.com/SpillerOfTea/status/1097585275641970690
