OBV General Election: Tomorrow let’s make a statement of intent

Launch of OBV eXpress: Windrush Square, Brixton, Lambeth SW2 1JF at 12 noon.

Tomorrow we begin to make history. It will be the start of our nationwide tour to target a more than a million people to engage in the 2015 elections and demand greater social and racial justice.

The starting point is to register to vote. And let’s be clear: Registering to vote and indeed voting, is not an end in itself. It’s a means to an end. By registering our intention to vote we are best placed to make political demands on all the parties. Politicians and their parties want to win, and if we can decide who wins or loses-especially in those marginal seats-we have to be listened to.

For race equality we should demand that political parties have a comprehensive plan to tackle persistent race discrimination in employment, education and the Criminal justice system. Our broader demand must also be to reclaim democracy ensuring we have a mechanism to recall MP’s removing big business and their money from politics; introducing state funding for all political parties; ensuring votes for 16 year olds.

By reclaiming democracy we take it away from a powerful elite and place it back in the hands of the people.

In the spirit of collaboration, OBV will be working with Operation Disabilty Vote, Bite the Ballot, and British Chinese Project.

Whether or not you are Black or white, young or old, come out tomorrow and together we become the political masters, and politicians and their parties start behaving like our democratic servants. Elected to serve, not self-serve.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Windrush Square, Brixton, Lambeth SW2 1JF at 12 noon.

Simon Woolley