Am I a "liberal"?

[bozo]

Re. affirmative action, let's take an occupation like the police. A very small percentage indeed of the police is anything other than British white. Considering our multi-cultural society, don't you think there should me more differently-coloured coppers? Why aren't there? How can we ensure there are?

Our census of 2001 says that 85.67% of the population are White (British), and a further 5.27% are White (Other). Given this information, I would expect a "very small" percentage of the police to have "coloured coppers".

As to your question "don't you think there should be more?", I say no; I don't think we should hire on the basis of race. As for why there aren't more, I think the demographics of the country possibly come into consideration, but there may be other reasons. Perhaps there are a higher number of black people who don't want to work in law enforcement. I also see no reason why we should ensure that there are more. If black people aren't coming to a police job interview, that is their own business. If black people are coming to a police job interview and are being outdone by a white candidate, give the job to the white candidate (the more qualified). I want my police force to be the best, not a shambles of people from different ethnic cultures that are only there because of affirmative action.

Hire the best candidate, regardless of skin colour.

I dont undrstand your quote about 5.27% of the population being White ( other ). You don't mention blacks or other non-whites. I don't have the statistics to hand but WE ARE MULTICULTURAL and yet the police force, a very important part of our society, is almost exclusively white.If you don't see that as cause for concern, I despair.
As to why there aren't more non-white police, that is an interesting question. Could it just be that non-whites are not welcomed by plod?
I am not suggesting a " shambles of people " of different cultures should be enabled to join..do you have such a low opinion of other ethnic cultures that you say suh a thing? Are you suggesting there are not perfectly suitable candidates out there, who could be encouraged into the force?
Our cuntry s multicultural and all the richer for it.
Our police force should be more representative of the fact.