The Guardian UK (May 29, 2012) ? Comment is free: In brief ? Sayeeda Warsi's done a lot for equality. Don't hound her out of office. ? Simon Woolley ? It will be a sad day?for British politics if Conservative party chair?Sayeeda Warsi is hounded out of office. The party is experiencing a slump in the polls and many are?making Warsi the scapegoat. This time Labour has seized upon her present plight, over alleged flaws in her expenses claims, and called for her to step down ? A fair assessment of whether or not she wilfully broke the rules will come to light soon. But what is often lost is what Warsi has brought to British politics. Warsi is the only minority-ethnic politician in government. I've known her for more than 15 years. In 1996 she helped us to establish Operation Black Vote in the north. Our goal was to encourage minority communities to engage in civic society, and use democratic process to ensure greater social and racial equality. Her passion for these goals and empowering women, particularly Asian women was infectious. ? She bellowed at the men: "This is not back home, where women are seen and not heard. Here our mothers, sisters and daughters must be allowed the wonderful opportunity to fulfil their great potential." She then turned to the women among the audience:"The stronger you are, the better our community, our society will be." She backed up her rhetoric as a human rights lawyer and activist, helping many, including women escaping abusive marriages. It was no surprise that political bosses from all sides tried to get this talented woman on board. ? When some UK Christians felt under threat, Warsi - a devout Muslim - declared that this was a Christian nation, and she was proud of its values. But she is also strong enough to stand up for her own faith, lamenting that "middle class islamaphobia" was becoming the norm. ? If she is hounded out of office, where will the progressive voice in so many difficult areas come from? Not from the conservative males who are doing the hounding, that's for sure. ? [Simon Woolley is the Director of Operation Black Vote]. ?
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