Mark Harper, the UK Transport Secretary, has defended the Conservative Party against accusations of racism, following controversy over accepting significant donations from Frank Hester, a donor who made racist remarks toward Labour MP Diane Abbott. Despite Hester’s apology for his comments, the Conservative Party, under the leadership of the first British Asian prime minister, maintains that it does not have a race problem, emphasizing its ethnic diversity.

The issue has sparked debate within political circles, with former Downing Street advisor Samuel Kasumu cautioning against using the diversity of the Cabinet as a means to deflect from addressing racism. Diane Abbott herself has criticized both the Conservative and Labour parties for their approach to racial issues. Despite calls for the Conservative Party to return the £15m received from Hester, Harper did not comment on future donations from the accused.

In a separate narrative, comedian Stewart Lee lamented the change in the type of humorous material he could glean from cab drivers, pointing to a decrease in openly reactionary remarks due to modern sensitivities and political correctness. Lee’s reflections connect to wider discussions on racism, noting a recent encounter with a cab driver that mirrored the controversial views of donor Frank Hester, thereby linking personal anecdotes to broader societal reactions to racism and intolerance.

Amid these discussions, MP Diane Abbott, who lost the Labour whip last year, was not permitted to speak during a Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) session focused on the racism row involving Hester. The decision, described as “a bit odd” by Cabinet minister Harper, and “surprising” by Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth, sparked further debate. The Speaker’s Office cited time constraints for not calling all MPs, including Abbott, to speak. The situation has highlighted ongoing concerns regarding racism within the UK Parliament and the complexities of political and party processes in addressing such issues.