Nathalie Nicholas: Championing change in Liverpool

The number of women who are part of the political family may be scandalously low, but that's not to say that a change isn't occurring.

Initiatives such as OBV's MP and Councillor Shadowing Schemes have gone some way to not only raise awareness about the lack of numbers, but also try to redress the imbalance. Many who have been helped and assisted by OBV are now playing a role in their community and armed with knowledge they didn't think they'd ever gain.

Just take Nathalie Nicholas for example, who is now the Ethnic and Women's Officer at the local Labour party in Liverpool. She also stood as a candidate for Church ward in the Liverpool Council elections, losing out by just 239 votes to Richard Kemp (Liberal Democrat).

It has been a whirlwind time for Nathalie, who in three years has gone from taking part in the OBV Liverpool Councillor Shadowing Scheme in 2008 to standing in the local council elections as well as encouraging other women to follow in her footsteps.

I don't feel any different from when I first became involved in the scheme," Nathalie told OBV. "I now appreciate what it is to be in the role and how much hard work it takes. But to know I'm making a difference makes it worthwhile. OBV has acted as a gateway for me to enter politics at a local level. The shadowing scheme enabled me to get the knowledge of politics. So I'm now in a position where I understand how things work and can inform more people about it.

Nathalie almost did not stand as a councillor in the recent elections, having to juggle life as a parent and activist.

I initially withdrew because if I was to stand, I wanted to dedicate my whole time to the cause and thought with a child, I didn't think I would be able to serve 100%.

However, she was encouraged by the Liverpool Labour party to stand at the last minute.

I only had one month to prepare for the elections, but I only ended up losing by 239 votes against Richard Kemp, who has been a councillor a long time so that was encouraging to finish so close behind.

Nathalie said that she gained a lot of support in the Church ward and people got involved because they felt she stood for the best interests of the local community.

Before going on the scheme, I felt I had to have a degree in political science or knowledge of politics. While that does help, what is more important is to be able to engage with the community, the people you are representing and understand their needs and their concerns. You have to be a good communicator. Usually, if you have some kind of degree or status in society, then people tend to listen to you and that initially deterred me. But I feel more empowered and I have the understanding and knowledge which I can now pass on.

And that is what Nathalie is doing in her role as Women's Officer, by encouraging those who don't have the knowledge, but want to get an insight into the work of a councillor and how they can get involved. Nathalie has organised forums and social events to encourage women to come along, bringing their children, and get an insight into the role of being a councillor.

Nathalie is also playing her part in shaping the future of the local party, having been asked to be on the panel to interview prospective individuals who could stand as Labour councilors across the wards.

I never thought I'd be interviewing prospective candidates. It's an honour to be asked. My goal has always been to make a positive difference and I will continue to champion equality and better representation for my community.

Francine Fernandes, Head of Shadowing Schemes for Operation Black Vote said,

There is a huge deficit of BME women Cllrs across the UK with nearly 1000 more BME women Cllrs needed to address this imbalance. Activists such as Nathalie are fine examples of why more women need to get involved in politics, as she selfessly uses her skills and talents, not for personal gain, but for the benefit of her community.

Zohaib Rashid

Picture: Nathalie Nicholas