Diane for Home Secretary?

Diane Abbott stood in the Labour leader race after many in the Black community including OBV encouraged her to run for leader. By doing so she changed the nature of the debate, and was an inspiration for others to follow, simply by being there.

Now with the leadership elections over, the next vote is for a place in the shadow cabinet. The outcome of the ballot is announced this evening at around 7PM. 49 MPs have put their names forward for the election decided on by fellow Labour MPs. 

Alongside Abbott, two other Black MPs and former Ministers have put their names forward,  Sadiq Khan, Ed Miliband's Campaign Manager; and David Lammy, Chair of Ken for London.

Dotun Adebeyo in today's Voice makes the case that Diane Abbott must be given a place around the cabinet table.  We agree with him.  However, Adebeyo goes much further than most in saying that she should be given one of the big offices of State to shadow: Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs or the Chancellery.

What is certain is that with so few Black MPs standing and only 19 places available it is imperative that the new Labour leader makes a bold and decisive statement of intent regarding diversity and equality in his shadow cabinet.

I wonder who Ed Miliband would like in and who he wants out?  Do any of the Black MPs mentioned stand a chance?  Are there others that should have put their hat in the ring?  What do you think?  Leave a comment below and we'll forward any constructive suggestions to his team.

Watch the announcement live this evening here.

By Ashok Viswanathan