Boris Johnson pursuing Trump-style agenda to ‘work up white nationalism’, race equality thinktank says

Tories pushing narrative of 'white working class that's been left behind’ as US president did, says new head of Runnymede Trust

Boris Johnson scrapped Theresa May’s race advisory board - and recommendations for change are gathering dust (Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

Boris Johnson is pursuing a Donald-Trump-style agenda to “work up white nationalism” to win the next election, the head of a race equality thinktank says.

In an extraordinary attack, the new director of the Runnymede Trust accused the prime minister of neglecting poorer people from ethnic minority groups for political gain.

“I think the government's long-term plan is to work up white nationalism for the next elections,” Halima Begum said.

“What we should be saying is that working-class black and white communities have been left behind, because they've seen industries demolished.

“What I see instead is the Conservatives pushing through [a narrative of] a white working class that's been left behind, which is where Trump was at about six years ago.”

The attack comes after criticism of the prime minister for scrapping the race advisory board set up by Theresa May and for burying numerous recommendations for change.

The new Race Disparity Commission, which replaces it, is headed by Tony Sewell, who has dismissed evidence of institutional racism as “flimsy” – and its report has been delayed.

In October, Operation Black Vote founder Simon Woolley told The Independent that Mr Johnson has “no initiatives” to tackle race inequalities and questioned whether his No 10 team even believe it exists.

 In an interview with The Guardian, Ms Begum said there was “nothing wrong with the values of the Conservative party, which is to create more wealth”.

But she added: “What they don't see is that, when they talk about the level playing field, they think the level playing field is not level for white people.

“What I'd like them to think about is a formula that brings black working-class people with them as well.”

The director also took aim at the Labour Party, under Keir Starmer, suggesting it was “nervous” of challenging the idea that the focus should be the white working class.

Despite her criticism, Ms Begum said the Runnymede Trust was committed to working with the government and had recently met Mr Johnson's special advisers.

A government spokesperson said the new Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities was examining “where inequality exists across the whole of society”.

“Both the prime minister and the Commission remain fully committed to tackling racism, and we reject the divisive idea that the government is prioritising one group over another.

“The PM is thrilled to have assembled a group of talented and diverse commissioners, who each bring a wealth of experience from across a range of important sectors.

“The evidence-led commission has been undertaking research and inviting submissions from various stakeholders – with the aim of delivering a positive agenda for change.”