Ted Cantle’s review was revealing and he commented that:
“Leadership was different in Bradford, Burnley and Oldham to other areas that we visited in the sense that the local authority and other institutions had been seemingly less committed to a multi-racial, diverse society, and perhaps had been less willing to promote diversity as a positive virtue”
Ted Cantle’s team came across widespread feeling that BAME communities did not have a stake in society and were not getting enough help to tackle their problems. The report identified a lack of hope and a sense that their future was limited by their economic and social circumstances. It only took the right trigger sometimes lack of access to service or provocation by far-right groups, to tip that frustration into violent confrontation. You can read more about Ted Cantle and the report here: www.tedcantle.co.uk
Ted Cantle said he was hopeful of a better future particularly young people who he said were really inspirational and gave him hope.
Working with the communities the measures Bradford Council, Police and other agencies took were extensive and focussed on bringing people together and raising cultural awareness and tolerance of each other’s beliefs.
The strapline, One Landscape, Many Views, was soon enacted as a strategic approach to underline future strategies and policy responses which resonated well with the communities.
