When an elected representative uses language that echoes the darkest chapters of British racial history, it is not simply a “personal belief”. It is racism old-fashioned, explicit, and harmful.
Cornwall Conservative Councillor Pauline Giles’ comments about “young black males flooding our country”, her call for “mass deportations”, and her insistence that these individuals are “jeopardising” safety are not merely misguided; they are dangerous.
They represent a worldview in which Blackness is positioned as inherently criminal, foreign, and threatening, a worldview that has fuelled discrimination, violence, exclusion, and divisive politics for generations.
And for ethnically diverse people and for those with ethnically diverse children, partners, or families, the impact is not theoretical. It is visceral and personal.
Why this is racism: clearly, explicitly, unapologetically
1. She racialised the issue herself
She was asked why she singled out “black males”, and her answer was:
“Because they are [black], aren’t they?”
This is the moment the mask slips. This is not about immigration, legality, or border procedures; she explicitly anchored danger to melanin.
2. She linked Blackness to criminality
She suggested “young girls” were at risk specifically from “people from these boats”, despite no evidence, and despite Cornwall’s own sexual assault cases involving white perpetrators, cases she had not commented on.
This reveals a racialised threat narrative:
White crimes = individual incidents.
Black people = collective threat.
3. She relied on racist tropes of “flooding” and “masses”
Language such as “flooding” and “mass deportation” dehumanises people and mirrors xenophobic rhetoric historically used to justify exclusion, violence, and racial hierarchy.
4. She used the classic defence: “I have friends of many colours”
Claiming multicultural friendships does not erase racism. Racism is seen in actions, narratives, and power not in who you take a photo with.
5. She spread misinformation
- No small boats arrive in Cornwall.
- Her claims about crime rates are not supported by evidence.
- Her beliefs are shaped by biased media feeds and misinformation algorithms.
Misinformation repeated by an elected official becomes normalised prejudice.
What she is really saying, beneath the excuses
Strip away the justifications, and her statements assert that:
- Black people are a danger.
- Black men are a threat to women.
- Blackness is incompatible with Britishness.
- Non-white people are not “our” people.
- Britain is being overwhelmed by racial others.
Those are not neutral observations.
Those are the foundations of racist ideology.
The harm caused to individuals, communities, and Britain
1. Harm to ethnically diverse people
Her statements:
- Increase fear and hostility towards Black men.
- Undermine the safety of ethnically diverse residents.
- Reinforce stereotypes used to justify discrimination in policing, employment, education, and housing.
- Tell Black British people and their children that their skin colour marks them as a threat.
This is not abstract. This translates into:
- Being stopped more by the police.
- Being profiled in shops.
- Being denied opportunities.
- Being viewed with suspicion in public spaces.
- Being told they don’t belong.
2. Harm to people with ethnically diverse families
Parents raising ethnically diverse children hear comments like these and think:
- Are my children safe?
- Will they be blamed for things they didn’t do?
- Will they be viewed as inherently dangerous?
- Will my son be seen as a “young black male” before he is seen as a child?
This erodes mental health, belonging, and trust in public institutions.
3. Harm to community cohesion
This kind of rhetoric:
- Fuels division and fear.
- Makes Cornwall appear hostile to outsiders.
- Discourages multicultural communities from visiting, settling, or contributing economically.
- Undermines years of anti-racism and inclusion work by local organisations.
Cohesion requires truth, trust, and belonging, all shattered by racist narratives.
4. Harm to democracy
Elected officials carry responsibility.
When they use racist rhetoric, it normalises prejudice and signals to the public that such views are acceptable within mainstream politics.
This corrodes confidence in local councils, political parties, and democratic processes.
So, how bad is this for a human being?
For a Black child in Cornwall, this is devastating.
For a Black parent travelling home, this is frightening.
For a mixed-race family at the school gates, this is isolating.
For ethnically diverse workers, visitors, students, and citizens, this is dehumanising.
This is not “just a comment”.
This is the kind of language that leads to hate crimes, exclusion, discriminatory policies, and lifelong disadvantage.
It is the language that has historically justified violence.
It is extremely bad.
What action must be taken by individuals, by employers, and by the government
A. What individuals must do
- Challenge racist narratives when they arise, especially misinformation online.
- Report racist posts to platforms and employers.
- Educate ourselves on how bias, media algorithms, and language shape belief.
- Amplify the voices of ethnically diverse communities.
- Intervene early when friends, family, or colleagues repeat harmful misinformation.
B. What employers (including councils) must do
- Investigate the incident under the code of conduct and anti-racism policies.
- Implement mandatory anti-racism and cultural competency training.
- Require councillors to undergo media literacy and misinformation training.
- Publish findings and actions to maintain public trust.
- Suspend or remove officials who breach equality, impartiality, or duty of care standards.
C. What government and political parties must do
- Apply clear disciplinary measures for racist conduct.
- Strengthen the standards required of public office holders.
- Issue public statements that reaffirm their commitment to equality and the Human Rights Act.
- Review how misinformation and extremist narratives spread through digital platforms.
- Require local authorities to have racial equity action plans.
Words are not enough: Action must be measurable, transparent, and accountable.
Summary: Issues and Solutions
Issues
- Councillor’s comments are racist, dehumanising, and rooted in misinformation.
- Harm caused to ethnically diverse people, families, and communities is profound.
- Comments fuel division, undermine cohesion, and legitimise racist narratives.
- Political and organisational responses have been weak and non-committal.
Solutions
- Individuals must challenge racism, call out misinformation, and support diverse communities.
- Councils must investigate, discipline, and implement anti-racist training and accountability.
- Political parties must remove members who perpetuate racism and strengthen equality standards.
- The government must reinforce anti-racism, public office conduct rules, and address algorithmic misinformation.
This is about actions, not statements about “friends of all colours”.
Racism is measured in impact, not intention.