The Labour Party government in Wales is on a mission to transform the country into an “anti-racist nation” by 2030, focusing on reshaping the “beliefs and behaviour of the white majority.”
In a fresh update to its “Anti-Racist Action Plan,” First Minister Eluned Morgan, who holds a position similar to that of a U.S. governor, reaffirmed her government’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable society for all Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities in Wales.
Morgan emphasized that the commitment to this goal remains unwavering, and the Labour-led government’s aim is clear: to reshape Wales into an anti-racist society within the next decade. To achieve this, the government plans to overhaul how Welsh citizens, especially the 94% white majority, think and behave regarding race. The plan outlines the need for deep, long-term shifts in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, targeting the beliefs and actions of individuals within the white population.
As part of this sweeping agenda, the government is pushing public broadcasters to create content that better represents Wales’ diverse cultural history, giving Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic individuals more visibility both in front of and behind the camera. Museums and galleries will also be encouraged to frame their exhibits through the experiences of these communities, highlighting their contributions to Welsh history and recognizing their importance in the nation’s past and present.
The Welsh government has previously criticized statues of prominent figures like Admiral Horatio Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, suggesting that such monuments honoring “powerful, older, able-bodied white men” may be offensive to modern, diverse Wales. As a result, some of these statues could be hidden or even removed.
But the government’s goals don’t stop with cultural changes. The anti-racist plan also targets economic and educational disparities between the white majority and ethnic minorities. To track progress, the Welsh Race Disparity Evidence Unit will monitor whether inequalities in employment, pay, and education are decreasing.
A government spokesperson reinforced their commitment, saying, “We are committed to creating an anti-racist nation by 2030. Our anti-racist Wales action plan is built on the values of anti-racism and calls for zero tolerance of all racial inequality.”
