All three leadership candidates spoke at the Ethnic Minority Election Task Force hustings at the National Liberal Club last night (14 February).

Simon Hughes, Chris Huhne and Ming Campbell have included details of what they said on their respective websites.

In the blogosphere, Mark Valladares has given his reaction, as have Peter Pigeon, Colin Ross and James Graham.

UPDATE: Susanne Lamido adds her comments.

Despite initial scepticism, recent events have made Alan Beddow decide to support Reflecting Britain:

As Liberal Democrats we exist to promote equality and tolerance, one way in which we can do this is by increasing our representatives in government to use the democratic process to ensure these freedom’s are maintained. Another way is by example, we need to show each community that they can make a difference and participate fully in the democratic process of our country, where they can live in, and promote a tolerant society without living in fear of their neighbours or resorting to extreme acts. Where we can build strong community leaders and role models.

…

If one way to overcome the serious threats to our country is to provide additional focus and support to candidates that can be the role models that will bring into the party those from across all our communities then my qualms about positive action are a very small price to pay.

You can read his full article here. Great to have you on board Alan!

If you would like to join Alan, you can do so by signing up here.

Last week, blogger Steve Guy pondered his moral dilemma about whether to support the Reflecting Britain campaign.

Steve has now made up his mind, and we are delighted to have his support:

I think the Reflecting Britain initiative is a genuine attempt to focus more attention on our failure to get more female and ethnic minority candidates - and for that reason I applaud it. But I would also like to see the campaign focus on why we fail to attract more grass roots activists from ethnic minority backgrounds, for it is from the local activists that the politicians of the future must emerge.

You can show your support like Steve, Ming Campbell, Simon Hughes and Chris Huhne by signing up here.

Tristan from A Liberal Alone writes…

I have decided I support the Reflecting Britain campaign. There is a clear imbalance in the party which needs to be addressed just as the gender imbalance is being redressed. There is no reason why we should not have a party which is representative of the entire population.

The campaign is also not campaigning for all-women shortlists. Such measures are detrimental to other groups and create a hostile atmosphere for the group which is meant to be helped.

Stephen Glenn poses this question:

Why am I, a white, middle-class male supporting the latest initiative by the Liberal Democrats to encourage more female and ethnic minority candidates? The answer is simple…

Read the rest here.

Mark Valladares writes:

Given the scheduled debate in Harrogate, it would seem that everything is falling nicely into place to really make some meaningful progress on diversity issues within the Party at last, and I’m truly delighted. And now I await the response of the leadership candidates… we’re watching, gentlemen…

Dave of Dave’s Knowsley diary chips in:

I think this is a very valid and important issue and one that should be raised with all three leadership candidates because as a Party we must do more to ensure our elected representatives do reflect the society in which we live. I have pledged my support to their campaign.

Warwick-based blogger Alan Beddow explains his reasons for not supporting Reflecting Britain here.

His main reasons are that he opposes “tinkering with the selection process” and the lack of training made available to white men:

As a white, English Male, I feel at a disadvantage. There is some excellent training provided by some groups within the party that would be of benefit to me and to which I am denied. There is advice and guidance available to newer members of the party to which I am excluded.

For the record, Reflecting Britain is not advocating positive discrimination measures, but rather supports the Gender Balance and Ethnic Minority Election Task Forces which seek to encourage, mentor and support women and BME candidates. On the training issue, Mark Valladares rebuts:

At the same time, if you feel that there is lack of training targetted towards white, English males, why not raise the issue with the English Candidates Committee or the Parliamentary Candidates Association? Given that the latter is (effectively) the trade union for those on the Approved List, perhaps it has a role in helping you to develop any skills that you want or need.

One of the reasons for this campaign was to encourage a real debate on these issues, so we welcome the debate. Hopefully we’ll be able to change your mind, Alan.

Sunny at Pickled Politics has this to say:

I want bring your attention to a new initiative called Reflecting Britain that some Lib Dem MPs launched on Tuesday to increase representation of women and ethnic minority MPs within their ranks. Currently all 62 Lib Dem MPs are white and predominantly male.

In the current climate of intense turmoil, it would be great if they reinvented themselves by doing more than other parties in being sexually representative.

Susanne Lamido is the first blogger to come out in support of the Reflecting Britain campaign, and fills in some of the background to the campaign:

Following the successful BME motion at the London Region’s Autumn conference prepared by Mark Valerdares of Liberal Bureaucracy the Region has submitted a motion for debate at the Federal Spring Conference which has been accepted.

The website Reflecting Britain has been set up which explains some of the thinking behind the motion. It call on the Leadership contenders to address the gender and ethnic balance with 5 poignant questions being asked how they propose to address the balance to reflect the cultural diversity of modern day Britain. Whether or not they will be voting for the motion to create a properly resourced Ethnic Minority Election Task Force. The existing EMETF under the Chairmanship of Cllr Rabi Martins has worked hard since it was set up 18 months ago but without resources it has been difficult to implement some of it’s plans.

She also likes our “cool” button and encourages bloggers to add it onto their websites. To do so, simply follow the instructions here.

Thanks to Stephen Glenn who has already done so.