Calling future Black MP's

Two days later back in the office, and still more than a little depressed, I got a call that would immeasurably lift my spirits. 'I did it' muttered the voice at the other end of the phone. 'I got elected'. Sonika Nirwal was the caller. I'd interviewed her some two years earlier to take part in our first MP shadowing scheme.

The idea was to provide experience, knowledge and confidence for young dynamic people such as Sonika, to take their place around decision making tables. There was no guarantee that Black people would even apply, let alone go on to be successful. After all, the political pundits had told us that Black people are just not interested in politics. Thankfully they were wrong. Hundreds applied. All those that took part have made a great impact. Some now sit on public bodies serving as magistrates or school governors, two have become elected politicians, many others continue to play a full and positive role in the democratic process.

Politicians from all sides of the house played their part too. Sonika was twinned with Fiona McTaggart MP, and as part of the then Culture and Heritage Minister Chris Smith's team, Fiona would take Sonika along with her. 'What did they talk about' I once inquired to Sonika. 'I can't tell you', came her reply. 'I had to sign the official secrets act'. Another shadowee, Imran Ahmed was twinned with the Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes.

The BBC had chosen to follow Imran on his exploits with his MP, this became even more interesting when Simon Hughes had received a death threat and needed round the clock MI5 protection for a number of weeks. Imran witnessed first hand the good, the bad and the ugly in the life of a politician.

Another senior politician, Tory Grandee Peter Bottomeley took Demi Akerwusi under his wing. He not only imparted his wisdom and introduced her to people that would help her career, he also came to the training day to talk to others about how to be an effective MP.

'You can make an impact on society and your community without being a Minister', he told the group. 'Furthermore, if you just want to be a good MP, serving your constituency, and take up campaigns and issues that you care about, and do not unduly worry about achieving promotion, they -your party-cannot force you to vote for legislation you don't believe in'.

In a society where too often the individual development of a politician is his/her sole priority here we had a politician of great integrity, who was advising these would-be politicians to be first and foremost true to their grass root beliefs.

For us at OBV this is particularly important. Of course we want shadowees whether they are on our Magistrate's or MP shadowing scheme to do well for themselves, but alongside their own development, we want them to have a sense of duty to serve their community and seek to 'raise the water level' for other Black people.

We are now recruiting for this years MP shadowing scheme. And there is still time to apply. Leaders from the two opposition parties (Iain Duncan Smith and Charles Kennedy) have agreed to take part, so too have other formidable MP's such as Chris Smith, Andrew Lansley, Oona King and Simon Hughes. Now its up to you to step forward and be counted. As part of the different Black communities we know our road to full freedom will be uphill and plagued with obstacles, but that must not stop us from taking up the challenge. This scheme is one of the many areas we can make a difference.

And when we are faced with what seems insurmountable difficulties, you like me can be reminded that others have trod where we dare to go. Last Saturday, for example, was the anniversary of the death of the Hon Marcus Mosiah Garvey and his struggle, his words still help raise the spirit of Black people throughout the world.

' This is the time for Black people to make their distinct contribution to this civilisation and let history record it truthfully. You have the chance, all you want is the will to do, and dare others to stop you. This is my hope for you, and this is the fear others have of you'. (New York Oct 16th 1921)

We as black people have nothing to fear but fear itself. The success of the scheme is dependent on our communities having the same self belief that they too can become the next Bernie Grant, Paul Boateng, or indeed next Prime Minster. We know that others before them have trailed the blaze that may now make it easier for them to follow.