Liberal Democrats conference: A personal view

Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrat (‘EMLD’) member Councillor Michael Bukola gives his personal take on Party Conference, held at the ICC Birmingham between 17-22 September.

The issue of BME representation remains high on the Party agenda. Thousands attended this year’s Autumn Party Conference in Birmingham which kicked off with the traditional party rally themed “In Government, on your side”.

The rally launched the Candidate’s Leadership Programme, aimed at the Party’s brightest and best from under-represented groups with the drive, integrity and talent to become future Members of Parliament. One budding hopeful is Cllr Chris Lucas from Three Rivers District Council who was one of the first nominees to be selected onto the Programme.

Chris gave an impressive performance stating the Party was “too male and too pale” and change was vital in order to appeal to a wider electorate. This call to arms by Lucas was supported by the Party Leadership when Leader Nick Clegg referred to his disappointment by not returning a single BME MP at the last General Election.

Over the duration of Conference, a range of party motions were debated on Employment & Support Allowance (ESA), Education, the NHS, Quality of Life, an emergency motion on the Riots summarised by Brian Haley, the recent LibDem London Mayoral contender and the Violence against Women debate with Cllr Eliza Mann speaking for the first time at Conference from Southwark Liberal Democrats. Cllr Mann spoke with conviction at highlighting the issue of human rights abuses against women in Sri Lanka.

EMLD were well represented with their fringe meetings this Autumn on Turkey and its role within the EU, and the “Where next for Multiculturalism?” debate hosted by Issan Ghazni, Chair of EMLD. The debate was facilitated by Issan in the context of the Government's Prevent strategy to tackle extremism and promote community cohesion. Speakers included columnist and broadcaster Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Minister for Communities & Local Government, Andrew Stunnel MP.

Other fringe meetings this Autumn included the newly formed LibDem Forum for Africa, a programme which sought to advise party activists, campaigners and local parties on understanding Sub-Saharan Africa and exploring the political agenda in terms of international affairs, world poverty and its impact here in the UK as a mainstream political issue.

As a local Lib Dem Councillor in Southwark, I was called upon to speak on how the Party can engage more with African communities in Britain and overseas.

Cllr. Michael Bukola - South Bermondsey ward, Southwark Council