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Boris to Asian host: I'll 'out-ethnic' you
Pippa Crerar, Political Correspondent17.04.08
Boris Johnson risked angering London's minority communities today by claiming he could "out-ethnic" an Asian radio presenter.
The Tory candidate made the remarks as he came under pressure for referring to black children as "picaninnies" in the past. He listed his own origins to try to prove racism was "not in his heart" and win over ethnic minority voters.
In the BBC Asian Network debate, Mr Johnson said: "Almost 100 years ago my Turkish great-great grandfather came to London and I'm very proud of that." Presenter Nihal Arthanayake asked: "What part of your Turkish culture do you maintain?"
BJ: A lively ... interest in Turkey.
NA: How often do you go and see your family?
BJ: It turns out I've got plenty of Turkish cousins living and working in London.
NA: Did you just find out when you needed it to get the ethnic vote?
BJ: I'm happy to say that lots of Turkish relations have been coming and going in our family for a long time.
NA: Are you down with the ethnics?
BJ: I'm down with the ethnics. You can't out-ethnic me Nihal.
NA: How many bhangra gigs have you been to over the last few years?
BJ: I can't remember. But my children are a quarter Indian so put that in your pipe and smoke it.
NA: Okay, let's not try to out-brown each other.
Afterwards, Lib-Dem candidate Brian Paddick said: "Sitting next to an Asian presenter and saying he can 'out-ethnic' anyone just shows how stupid an intelligent man can be."
Mr Johnson's spokesman said: "Boris pointed out, in a tongue-in-cheek way, that he is the perfect embodiment of the ethnically diverse melting pot that makes London the world's greatest city."
Ken Livingstone was also criticised for missing half of the hour-long debate - held in a Stratford café - because he wanted to spend time with his two young children.
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It is interesting to note that both Nihal Arthanayake and Boris Johnson both agree that Asians are ‘ethnics’. Surely this is at least incorrect use of language.
- Londoner, London, UK
Just to let you know, Chris Londoner, that I am not, and have not been a member of the Labour Party since November 1997, nor do I vote for a fixed party at each opportunity - I vote for the party whose platform I prefer at whichever election it is. Having said that, Johnson is, was, and always be a twit who will not only be a disaster for the town of my birth and of my family but (and here's where I am almost looking forward to his election) he will also be a disaster for the Tories - always something to look forward to. The politicians I tend to admire are the ones who stay close to their convictions (Tony Benn, Michael Foot, e.g.). Politicians I don't admire are those who have no real conviction towards the role they suddenly aspire to (MPs who ship out towards supposedly safer seats, MPs who have/had no connection with a town whatsoever and then aspire to be its Mayor - good on the CV probably!). I also don't admire politicians who have conversations with old public school chums and agree to provide addresses so that journalists can be beaten up (the evidence is on tape), as much as I might dislike the newspaper for which that journalist wrote.
- Brian Capaloff, Falkirk, Scotland (Formerly London)
What's the problem? The fact Boris doesn't cling to his ethnic roots? It's called 'integrating into the host society', something that used to be considered good.
- Anonymous, Internets
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