I SPENT MORE TIME IN HANDSWORTH THAN ROBERT JENRICK - AND NOTICED ONE PROBLEM

Like Robert Jenrick I spent time in Handsworth this week. Unlike the shadow justice secretary, my visit lasted longer than 90 minutes and I walked around with my eyes open.

My trip, of course, was prompted by Jenrick's leaked comments in which the branded the area "absolutely appalling" and "as close as I've come to a slum in this country".

He went on: "The other thing I noticed was it was one of the worst-integrated places I’ve ever been to. In fact, in the hour-and-a-half I was filming news there I didn’t see another white face."

READ MORE: Broadcaster offers to show Robert Jenrick the real Handworth - if he can spare the time

Jenrick, one must assume, must have at least been aware of the well-established racial make-up of Handsworth before he visited. After all, he was born in nearby Wolverhampton.

But, going by his comments, I'm not quite sure he had ever visited before.

Because I see white faces in Handsworth nearly every Saturday before a West Brom game. They could be walking towards The Hawthorns, enjoying lunch at Grandad's Tasty Patties, or sipping a pint at The Royal Oak. Handsworth attracts more 'white faces' than Jenrick might think.

Arriving outside Handsworth Library this week, I spotted more than ten white people over the course of two minutes. And I wasn't counting myself.

I also found the 'worst integrated' place comment bizarre due to the diversity on Soho Road. There are Caribbean, African, Asian, European, and importantly because of Jenrick's narrative, white British people working on the street.

H&T Pawnbrokers manager David Volante is one of those people - and he brought up his own issue with Jenrick's remarks.

He said: "The word slum is derogatory to this area. If it was that much of a slum, you'd expect to see more empty units and closures. There's clearly a demand to do business in Handsworth."

David has a point, a walk along Handsworth's jewellery shops will tell you this area is far from a slum. We complain about high streets dying a death across the country, but we have a thriving and successful one right on our doorstep.

While I'm pointing out positives of Handsworth, it would only be fair for me to point out a problem. This is the second time this year I've spent an extended amount of time on the Soho Road and noticed the same issues as before.

On February 8, I said: "Although I didn't feel like I was in any danger, I can't lie and say the Soho Road felt particularly safe during my visit. I saw confrontations, drug use and an issue with homelessness during my brief time on the road."

I didn't see drug use this time, but I did spot men drinking alcohol at 11am and confronting random strangers. Oh, and Mr Jenrick, they were white.

I didn't feel in danger, but once again, I can't say Handsworth felt the safest and friendliest of areas. My problem from visiting Handsworth seems to be the one thing Mr Jenrick didn't mention - which leads to me to question what he actually did with his time.

If Mr Jenrick experienced Handsworth properly, he would have seen 'another white face' and realised both sides to the place. Yes, there are problems but there is also an area full of history, diversity and success.

Instead, he just yapped about litter for a right-wing news channel. It's not the same. Did he visit a Handsworth pub? He could have treated himself to a drink after a day of talking rubbish.

2025-10-12T04:36:06Z