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Birmingham MP Paulette Hamilton Delivers a Stinging Rebuke to Shadow Minister’s “Out-of-Touch” Comments on Handsworth

Paulette Hamilton, the Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, has issued a strong response to comments made by Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, who described Handsworth as “one of the worst-integrated places” he had ever visited.

The remarks, made in March and recently published by The Guardian, saw Mr Jenrick claim he did not see “another white face” during his visit to the area. He has since defended his language, saying he has no regrets and will not “shy away” from issues of integration.

In a direct challenge to the Shadow Minister’s bleak characterisation, Paulette Hamilton, who was born and raised in Handsworth, represented it as a councillor for 18 years, and still has family there – has publicly invited him on a tour to see the real, vibrant community for himself.

Paulette Hamilton MP said:

“Just last week, I visited my mum, who’s greeted by her Pakistani neighbour on one side and checks in with her African neighbour on the other. Across the road lives a white British family I served alongside as a governor at Rookery School.

“We have fantastic Sikh and Black families all looking out for one another on the same street. So while the Shadow Minister may have only seen it as an ‘integration problem,’ I see a community that works together, supports one another, and shares its lives, the very definition of successful integration.

“If Mr Jenrick really wants to find a ‘lack of integration,’ he should try ordering a kebab in five languages on one street, and still be treated like a local.”

She continued:

“Handsworth, like any community, has its challenges, but its greatest strength is its people. I sincerely hope Mr Jenrick takes up my offer, I’d be delighted to show him what he missed. And we can even pop into my mum’s for a good old English brew.

“I assure him, he’ll see more than just the inside of his own teacup this time.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. Paulette Hamilton is the Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington.
2. She was born and grew up in Handsworth and represented the area as a Birmingham City Councillor for 18 years before her election to Parliament.
3. For more information, please visit: https://paulettehamilton.org/