Forum Topic

Labour Councillor Peter Carpenter Suspended After Racist Tweet

Good! Now kick him out! Labour again. The nasty Party! "A Labour councillor in Wandsworth has been suspended and barred from standing for the party this May after he tweeted that Chancellor Rishi Sunak “should go back to India with his billionaire wife”. Mr Sunak is British and was born in Southampton to Indian parents, while his wife Akshata Murthy has Indian citizenship.Councillor Peter Carpenter represents Wandsworth ’s West Hill ward and has deleted his Twitter account. His tweet read: “Rishi Sunak is a complete waste of space. He should go back to India with his billionaire wife.” The tweet was screenshotted and shared on the OnLondon website after attracting a complaint.Labour group leader Simon Hogg told fellow Labour councillors that Cllr Carpenter was suspended on Sunday evening “with immediate effect, pending investigation”. He added: “I am extremely disappointed by with the comment made by councillor Carpenter…Views such as those stated have no place in the Labour Party" the site reported.https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/local-elections-2022-vote-london-23620565

Sue Hammond ● 1397d29 Comments

Birds of a feather flock together - as do racists, and narrow-minded sorts too.

Clifford Cowell ● 1394d

Ah, but everybody loves Johnson. He's a real joker. He doesn't really mean it. I mean, people wouldn't still be buying his comic novel, "Seventy Two virgins" on Amazon, would they? It still sells well, and there is even a Kindle edition.Different strokes, eh?

David Ainsworth ● 1395d

Buried like the letter box racist slur!

Clifford Cowell ● 1395d

Thanks, Ivonne; perhaps I should have read all the other posts properly! We don't know what the intent of his post was but it's easy to interpret it as having racial overtones - particularly as Rishi Sunak was born in the UK and is a UK citizen. (I've noted that in the press is is being commented that he had a US Green Card but that wouldn't alter his citizenship.) I think the point is that one would possibly expect elected representatives to consider their comments more carefully but perhaps it's just part of the falling standards in public office? We don't seem to have good examples set at the top of government …

Michael Ixer ● 1396d

Richard that was three leaders ago.That policy was buried with the Ed-stone!

Ed Robinson ● 1396d

Hello Michael,The issue of the fireworks is because he is married to an American lady and they celebrate the 4th of July.As far as Peter Carpenter's comment is concerned, I am sure many people have thought it, but not said it.  While I think it was a very silly remark to make, was it really a racist remark or a very politically incorrect comment?If there is a problem with nationalities, perhaps having a PM born in the US should be considered too?  He did not rescind his US nationality till 2017... I think he was Foreign Secretary then.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1396d

"On a side note as far as I'm aware there is no difference between Labour and Conservatives when it comes to "non Dom" status."I'm not sure of the current situation, but in 2015 End Miliband promised to abilish it if Labour was elected then.

Richard Carter ● 1396d

Immediate action was taken but sadly both main parties seem to lack the normal processes you expect from any reasonable sized organisation.Swift action does not always seem to be consistent.Despite all the huff and puffing the parties are all also very aligned on things like the nationality act etc meaning that even if someone born here they still may have to prove their parents were legally here even years later.On a side note as far as I'm aware there is no difference between Labour and Conservatives when it comes to "non Dom" status.

Ed Robinson ● 1396d

A completely unacceptable comment and immediate action has been taken to suspend him from the Labour party. It doesn't reflect the values of the party in any way.Not sure why there's a discussion about fireworks,  I can't see it has any relevance?

Michael Ixer ● 1397d

He could claim that he did not believe that it was right to split up families.The common length of tweets is 33 characters. No room for nuance or precision. Combine that with emotion. What a recipe for global harmony.

David Ainsworth ● 1397d

A bit late for him now, but he could have claimed that he meant that Sunak should go back to India with his billionaire wife because that is where she is domiciled for tax purposes?

David Parker ● 1397d

That is not proof of anything David.

Sue Hammond ● 1397d

Decidedly undesperate. Do not know of Mr Carpenter. Approve of the Labour Party's decision. Apply as much "heat" as you wish.

David Ainsworth ● 1397d

Why would i try to take the heat off him? i'd never even heard of him till this happened and i'm not a labour supporter. Fire him for all i care.

Matt Palmer ● 1397d

"When did I say that David? Proof please." 2017Petition Theresa May Posted by: Sue HammondDate/Time: 18/09/17 16:53:00To Imprison or Deport the 25000 on the Terrorist WatchlistNot a huge fan of petitions but this one is vital in my opinion.  If you agree please sign and share.

David Ainsworth ● 1397d

"Whatever got into him, to make that stupid, racist tweet?"The Twitter Effect? "Reading a Twitter timeline generates 64 percent more activity in the parts of the brain known to be active in emotion than normal Web use." (Wired, 2015) Seems likely, but I am just an observer, not a participant.

David Ainsworth ● 1397d

Matt and David desperate to divert the thread to take the heat off Carpenter ...

Sue Hammond ● 1397d

David: Peter Carpenter's wife is I think American and I believe that they used to celebrate July 4th with a party + fireworks.I agree with Andy, he was a good Councillor and, the few times I met him, he seemed a balalanced and sensible person. Whatever got into him, to make that stupid, racist tweet?

Caroline Whitehead ● 1397d

When did I say that David? Proof please.

Sue Hammond ● 1397d

Who said so Matt?

Sue Hammond ● 1397d

Be grateful that Ms Hammond does not believe in deporting people who were born here.

David Ainsworth ● 1397d

I thought politicians lying was acceptable now Sue?

Matt Palmer ● 1397d

Fireworks? What? When?

David Ainsworth ● 1397d

@Andy 9.57So  he's a liar as well as a racist!

Sue Hammond ● 1397d

Shame of it is my recollection when at work was that he was a pretty good local councillor.

Andy Pike ● 1397d

I'm happy to condemn him and anyone else being rascist!

Matt Palmer ● 1397d

A number on here used to go to his July 4th parties and then deny it was him letting off the fireworks people complained about.

Andy Pike ● 1397d

My thoughts exactly Nick. It will get buried soon ...

Sue Hammond ● 1397d

If this was a Conservative councillor, this thread would be 80 responses long by now.

Nick Gulliford ● 1397d