Dear Prime Minister
I may not be the first to offer you my congratulations but I suspect it is still a little strange and unnerving to be addressed as such.
Whilst I openly confess to not being a strongly political animal, it is very evident to all that change was needed and Labour offers the most powerful and structured way of recalibrating our society. As you made clear, it is a very big task but one for which you have been given the mandate.
I was particularly taken by two stand out statements in your party’s manifesto. First, the declaration that your government will “break down the barriers to opportunity.” This resonates so strongly with all the work we do at Inclusive Companies. We know the talent is here but are also painfully aware that there is a lack of equity in the workplace and society at large.
Diversity and inclusion have made great strides within UK organisations but this desire to ‘level up’ recognition, value and opportunity has also attracted criticism. Too often this has been based on ignorance or an unwillingness to view life from someone else’s perspective, expecting everyone to dance to a tired and outdated tune. I am so heartened to hear someone talk of introducing a Race Equality Act, committed to “strengthening protection against dual discrimination” and being “determined to root out any inequalities.”
It may be law for organisations to collect and publish data on their Gender Pay Gap, but hearing that you are going to focus on women’s equality and enforce the socio-economic duty in the 2010 Equalities Act is long overdue.
Inclusive Companies has cried out for disability and ethnicity pay gap data to be collected and submitted by organisations. At last this is going to occur!
It is a very sad indictment of the society we live in today that there is a need to extend the legal framework to protect people. But the fact that Labour “will protect LGBT+ and disabled people by making all existing strands of hate crime an aggravated offence,” shows you calling this out and doing what is needed: leading from the front.
Giving a voice to groups of people who have struggled to have their messages heard and lived experiences shared is crucial to create an inclusive and equitable society. Inclusive Companies champions ‘networks’ – but ones which welcome all, as education is at the very core of bringing change through understanding. Uniting such networks will help you highlight how all people, regardless of who they are, have just as much right to be heard to bring about true equity.
By you publicly calling out discrimination, I fervently hope people will realise that they have the strength and support to do likewise if they experience or witness it in the workplace.
The second stand out statement in your manifesto is where you commit to wanting a society, “Where you can go to work and know you will be treated with dignity and respect.” This is our life and work, too. We salute you for being so bold in your assertions and wish you and your government every success in your endeavours.
It’s a long road ahead: please let me know if I or my network can advise or assist you along the way.
Yours sincerely
Paul Sesay
Founder and CEO
Inclusive Companies
