• IT was saddening, although not surprising, to see two letters attacking me personally (Labour should note that for many the days of voting according to skin colour are over and I was disappointed to see the letter making a baseless attack on elected councillors, May 24). These letters were written separately by a Conservative councillor and a party member.

Over the past months, Camden Conservatives have launched vicious personal attacks at me, in print and on social media, nearly always in relation to when I discuss the underrepresentation of women, ethnic minorities, and the working-class, in elected positions of public office.

When I called for scrutiny in the way in which all parties select candidates in winnable seats, they accused me of acting for “personal gain”.

It’s disgusting to smear those from minority backgrounds, like myself, as acting for “personal gain” when we call for adequate representation of minority groups in public office.

It’s using an imperialist argument to silence the most vulnerable and politically under-represented in society.

The Conservatives’ councillors in Camden are all white, middle-class and overwhelmingly male, yet they deemed it appropriate to personally attack me when I called for reflection on the demographics of councillors elected.

These attacks by Camden Tories serve to illustrate how the far-right of the party, dubbed the “Brexit boys”, have taken over locally and the very racism, élitism and sexism within our political system that needs to be addressed.

REBECCA SHIRAZI
Vice-Chair (Campaigns)
Hampstead & Kilburn Constituency Labour Party