COLCHESTER’S MP has called on Essex University’s chancellor to rethink her position after she said Essex people lacked vision.

Shami Chakrabarti, a Labour peer, was speaking at the Labour Party conference this week when she called on Jewish people not to desert the party and leave her with the “Essex man”.

Clarifying her comment, she said: “I don’t want to be left alone with people who lack the vision and views that you and I bring to this party as members of minority groups.”

Will Quince, MP for Colchester, said the comment were particularly disappointing as Ms Chakrabarti was chancellor of Essex University and called on her to rethink her role.

He said: “I think her comments are ignorant.

“Throughout her career she has always fought against stereotypes and this is exactly what she is doing by saying ‘Essex man’.

“Essex is an economic powerhouse which drives the British economy and we are full to the brim with entrepreneurs.

“I’m sure it was an off the cuff comment, but it is still disappointing.”

Jewish membership of the Labour Party has dwindled in recent months from 18 per cent to 8.5 per cent, sparking the comments.

Baroness Chakrabarti was appointed Chancellor of Essex University in September 2014. Speaking at the time of the appointment, she said she was “delighted”.

Mr Quince said: “I do question why she accepted the role of chancellor when she has got such a low opinion of the people of Essex.

“She talks about having a lack of vision and yet Essex is full of it.

“I think she just needs to apologise.

“She holds one of the biggest roles in the county and as such she should be an ambassador for Essex. She should be talking us up and if she is not willing to do that and instead make disparaging remarks maybe she should think about whether she wants to be chancellor.

“Being an ambassador comes with the job.”

The Gazette contacted Essex University but they said they did not want to comment.