“STARMER IS now in control.” That was the official response from Labour to the Forde Report, which spelt out the extent of institutional racism in the party.

In seeking to blame the previous leadership of Jeremy Corbyn for all the issues highlighted by Martin Forde QC, Labour have de facto accepted full responsibility for everything that happens from now on under Starmer’s watch.

By telling black communities they can be completely reassured that things will be different, he implies there is no need to implement the Forde recommendations because the only members who are racist are on the Left and they are being purged anyway.

Clearly, racism is a problem on all wings of the party, not limited to one faction. Just look at the racist comments aimed at Diane Abbott and other black MPs from party HQ staff who were working against Corbyn from within.

In two years as leader, Starmer has not yet earned the right to say “trust me” to tackle anti-black racism in the party and expect to be believed by black voters. What has he done for us lately?

So far, the leader has not made a single speech on the issue of race equality. Two years ago, he promised Labour would introduce a Race Equality Act in government but we still don’t know what will be in it.

He made a flurry of positive statements on race soon after he was elected in early 2020 but virtually nothing since. What happened? What took away his initial enthusiasm for tackling racism?

Labour’s failure to say how they would tackle the culture of racism identified in the Forde report is a dereliction of duty. 

Starmer must first recognise the party is institutionally racist and apply his much-vaunted “laser-like focus” to driving change throughout the party.

Yet on the question of giving anti-black racism and misogynoir the same priority as tackling antisemitism, the party is silent. So too, on the matter of anti-racism training for members.

How can you change the culture without a focus on its members, constituency Labour parties (CLPs), and regional bodies that oversee CLPs? MPs and staff are drawn from this pool and will have already absorbed the party ‘culture’ before reaching such positions.

Labour have implied that all Forde’s criticisms of the complaints process are out of date because the party introduced a new Independent Complaints Process in April this year. We are being asked by the current leadership to trust the process will address all issues raised by Forde. I’m not convinced.

The party must drill down on racial disparities with complaints and the causes of complaints, such as a failure to take racism seriously; targeting black members for criticism; failure to advertise roles; lack of access to information for would-be candidates, and more.

It’s about time Labour finally delivers on their 2018 promise to black, Asian and other racialised minority (BAME) members, to have a body representing them in the party. That pledge has been in gestation even longer than it took the Forde Report to see the light of day.

The party point to the development of a new ‘Code of Conduct on Afrophobia and Anti-Black Racism’ but unless Starmer can demonstrate he is committed to these issues it may be just another piece of paper.

Labour need to seriously step up several gears if they want to retain support from black communities. Nothing – not even the famously loyal black vote – can be taken for granted forever. Look at the Red Wall and Scotland.

Many in the black community will welcome a firmer stance on tackling systemic racism backed up by radical Labour policies aimed at eliminating racial disparities from employment – which was an explicit aim of the 2019 Race and Faith manifesto.

Starmer must lead from the front once more, not rely on apparatchiks pointing to obscure committees producing pieces of paper hardly anyone will ever see. 

We need a Forde action plan. Let’s measure what is planned against what is needed.

Black members need to be reassured that Starmer has their back when they face racism; has their interests at heart when making policy; understands what systemic racism is and has a burning desire to tackle it in government.

There is a long way to go to get there. Forde should be the kickstart Labour need. Despite the party’s disappointing response to the report, there is still massive goodwill to see change.

Black members must never feel like pariahs in the party, and racial justice must never be seen as a preoccupation only of the Corbynite Left.

Being in control means the ability to act. Starmer has told us he is in control, now he must deliver. There are no excuses from this point on.