News

Ashley Burton-Lynch evaluates the OBV Parliamentary Scheme and catches up with two of its graduates.

A couple of weeks ago aspiring MPs from the OBV Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme graduated in a wonderful celebratory ceremony in the House of Lords.

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OBV and BASSAC (British Association of Settlements and Social Action Centres) will be running a brand new series of FREE seminars to increase Black and minority ethnic (BME) awareness and engagement in your local democratic process.

Ever since 1992 when he took the political platform Lord John Taylor was destined to make history.  

A sharp suited barrister, Taylor represented everything that the then Prime Minister John Major wanted to show case in his ‘One Nation’, philosophy. Taylor talked like the establishment, dressed like it, and as a barrister worked within it.

New generation of Conservative women aiming high

With all the political goings on these last few weeks-resignations, scandals, cuts and more cuts, we might be excused for missing one or two good news stories.  But one we at OBV are keen to revisit was the New Year’s Honours that bestowed awards on two very dynamic women who want to ensure the Conservatives continue to give BME communities a strong voice.

Public 'more sophisticated' about race

President Obama calls for greater partnership working between Democrats and Republicans.

Given the economic mess we are in maybe our government could take a lead from US President Barack Obama who used his annual State of the Union address yesterday, the second since being elected, to call for greater partnership working between rival Democrats and Republicans.

He reached out to Republicans, asking lawmakers of both parties to "overcome the numbing weight of our politics."

Amid proposed western sanctions to restore political leadership, Ade Sawyerr provides a background as to why a country that has been relatively peaceful and stable is now going through political conflict and upheaval, and says voting has not solved the problem of the Ivory Coast and military intervention may worsen it.

How can we end racism for the next generation?

Think Tank Runnymede’s Kamaljeet Gill speaks of a new report launch and invites you to be part of a discussion about the effects of racism in the UK.

MPs Chuka Umunna and Diane Abbot have spoken against the UK’s system of air passenger duty which adversely impacts on those travelling to the Caribbean.