BLACK VOTERS DEMAND MINSTER FOR RACE
(31 March 2005)

A coalition of Black organisations today launched a manifesto demanding that the next government ensure that Black communities are afforded basic equality. In the hard-hitting manifesto, launched in the run up to the next general election, the coalition outlines deep seated racial disproportionality in employment and public services. The manifesto calls for 'All Black shortlists' to address the lack of BME politicians and a Minister for Race.

Research shows that two thirds of Black people live in the poorest areas of the country; infant mortality rates are twice as high in the Black community; and that Black people are still six times more likely to be stopped and searched by the police than their white counterparts.

The manifesto demands that politicians radically rethink their approach to racism, beginning with the introduction of a Minister for Race who would implement new strategies and ensure targets were reached. Coupled with the Black manifesto is the launch of demographic-political research, which shows that the Black vote could be crucial in this election. The research shows that in over 70 constituency seats, the Black vote can decide who wins and who loses the next General Election and in a further 50 seats, the Black vote can convincingly impact on the outcome.

Karen Chouhan of the 1990 Trust said: This is a manifesto for positive change. The old methods of dealing with racism and inequality clearly haven't worked. We cannot leave generation after generation without hope of the possibility of positive change. A comprehensive rethink that puts tackling racism at a Cabinet level along with the other measures will be a quantum leap forward.

Lee Jasper Chair of OBV said: Black communities don't have the luxury not to vote. With racism and in particular Islamaphobia alarmingly on the increase it is the duty of every Black person to tell their political candidates that we demand that they sign up to an agenda for justice. Failure to do so will be punished at the ballot box.

Earlier Operation Black Vote had highlighted that a failure to select a black candidate in Brent would lead to disaster for the Labour Party.

FAILURE TO SELECT BLACK CANDIDATE IN BRENT A DISASTER

The Labour Party will lose its lion share of the Black and Asian vote if it fails to select a minority community candidate to replace the Rt Hon Paul Boateng following his imminent and untimely departure from Westminster, says OBV. The Labour party failed to select a Black or Asian woman recently in both Hackney and West Ham, and failure to do so in Brent could spell the death nail for the party's unprecedented support from Black and minority ethnic communities.

Simon Woolley, Head of Operation Black Vote stated: 'With his rise to high office Paul Boateng symbolised positive Black empowerment, and yet, the Labour party, instead of consolidating that base has undermined it in its policies and its failure to select more BME candidates in safe seats. If Labour fail to select a BME candidate in Brent South, BME communities will justifiably lose faith in the party that once had the staunch support of Black and Asian people'.

Top