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The historic gathering of BAME parliamentarians who represent a record number of BAME MPs and Peers will speak volumes to a nation that at times is struggling with race.

Politicians from all three main parties and from both the House of Commons and House of Lords came together in the hallowed Westminster Hall for an historic picture organised by Valerie Vaz MP.

Operation Black Vote in partnership with Liverpool City Council is delighted to launch a unique Civic Leadership Programme to nurture Liverpool’s future leaders.

The Programme is designed to encourage people from black and minority ethnicity communities to get more involved in civic and political leadership. You will have the opportunity to observe areas of public life including:

School Governor Magistrate Councillor Safer Neighbourhood Panel Board of Liverpool Health Services NHS Trust Charity or NGO Board Trustee.

https://www.thecanary.co/opinion/2020/01/14/the-real-crisis-isnt-meghan-...

Arguably Labour’s most loyal supporters - Black, Asian and Minority ethnic voters - will think that once again our vote is taken for granted if the talented MPs Clive Lewis and Dawn Butler are not on either the Labour Party’s leadership and Deputy leader’s Ballot papers, by the end of the day.

It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that Clive Lewis has staked his claim to be the UK’s first Black Prime Minister. Ever since I’ve known Clive- for over decade- two things stand out: First, his desire from the pit of his soul to be a champion for social and racial justice deep characterises who he is. The second is his boundless energy.

Looking back at the achievements of OBV in the past year and in particular seeing a plethora of young BAME leaders emerging in so many different areas gave me the drive to enthusiastically look at the challenges ahead with both realism, but also an equal amount of optimism. In Reverend Jesse Jackson’s words - “keeping hope alive”.

One of OBV’s greatest strengths has been to constantly look forward: What’s the next big project; how do we consolidate what we’ve achieved; what big dangers for race equality are we facing in the next year, and indeed the next five years?

I love looking forward because it generates a kaleidoscope of ideas; What wonderful people would like to work with, what institutions should we focus on, can we do more in schools? The list goes on and on.

Seasonal Greetings and a special good will to all!

As the year draws to a close and many head off to see family and friends for the festive break, OBV wish you the warmest Christmas greetings with a strong message of love and good will towards our neighbours.

Operation Black Vote began in 1996 to ensure we have greater racial justice and equality in the UK for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic people. One of our key pillars has and will always be voter registration. To empower Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people through politics by exercising our right to vote. We've equally sought to increase BME representation in politics, to ensure that our institutions have our voices within key decesion making institutions.