Early Day Motion·EDM 1317

CORNISH FESTIVAL OF DARKIE DAY

9 January 200624 Signatures

Primary sponsor

Ms Diane Abbott

LabourHackney North and Stoke Newington

Motion Text

That this House notes with great relief the decision finally to abolish the century-old Cornish festival of Darkie Day where locals traditionally black-up with charcoal, wear Afro-wigs and perform minstrel songs; is not satisfied however that the decision of some locals to go ahead with the event merely replacing the word `nigger' with `mummer' in the traditional songs is sufficient for curbing incitement of racial hatred; further notes with concern that the event is still being advertised as a tourist attraction by the website Cornish Light; and calls on the Government to discourage any repeat of this event.