Labour London Mayoral candidates: Let’s make history

If like me, you signed up as a non party member to participate in the Labour Party London Mayoral selection process you will have received an email informing you of your right to vote. If you’re a London Labour party member you automatically get that right.

These are very interesting times in British politics: The rise of the Scottish National Party sweeping aside Labour in Scotland, David Cameron’s surprise majority during the same General elections, and now the ferocious debates about who will be Labour’s new leader along with the battle to govern London - one of the most powerful post in Europe.

The only predictable thing we can say about politics at the moment is its unpredictability. Political pundits, pollsters, ex-leaders and other opinion formers have failed to understand the mood of the electorate that wants something fresh, more honest and less career driven.

But critical to the politics of change is participation. The politics of the SNP could not have won if their supporters had stayed at home.

So if you’re a Labour party member or signed up to participate in the London elections let’s make history and select one of the three brilliant BME candidates. If it’s difficult to choose between the three, give one your first vote and another your second preference.

If we could have a brilliant BME Mayor for London that symbolism would reverberate around the world as a beacon of hope and progress. It would be good not only for Black Londoners and Black Britons but for everyone in the UK. Why? Because it gives the hope that anyone from whatever background can reach such a political pinnacle as sitting at the top of the GLA City Hall on the banks of the Thames.

As we’ve seen in the USA, racism doesn’t end with a Black person in the top post, but it is part the process for dramatic change. For example, whilst President Obama has struggled to fundamentally tackle racism within the country’s law enforcement centres, he has managed to drive through medical care which will have a dramatic effect on the poorest Americans, who are mainly from the Black and Hispanic communities.

Here in the UK we have it in our grasp to make history and inspire a generation by showing that politics is changing. It will show that we are no longer governed by a small elite, and that as ordinary citizens we can demand greater fairness and see that people with ambition can fulfil their potential, no matter what their background.

If you have that vote to select the Labour Party mayoral candidate I hope you’re excited about the game changing prospect of a possible BME London Mayor.

It’s our time for change.

Let’s use it.

OBV will be seeking to hold hustings for the Conservative London Mayoral Candidates soon.

Simon Woolley