OBV graduates stand for election

Five OBV Graduates will stand for election in their local council elections next month.

Ellin Joseph who is a graduate the from 2010/11 Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme and Natalie Nicholas who took part in the Liverpool Councillor Shadowing Scheme have added their names to the list of OBV alumni candidates who will stand in the upcoming local Council elections.

Ellin Joseph shadowed Conservative MP Stephen McPartland while he campaigned on the Streets of Stevenage during the general election last year and later at his Westminster office. Her political passion was ignited by the experience and she is now a candidate in the Stevenage Council elections for the Bedwell Ward.

Ellin said of her shadowing experience; “I would absolutely recommend the scheme because it enabled minority groups the opportunity to think big in terms of BAME (Black Asian and minority ethnic) engagement and more importantly, it demonstrated to me that the colour of my skin should not prevent me having a say about the community I live in.”

Natalie Nicholas on the other hand took part in the OBV Liverpool Councillor Shadowing Scheme and gained experience of the very complex role of being a Cllr, and now, Natalie herself is a candidate for Church ward in the imminent Liverpool Council elections.

Natalie says: “The OBV scheme was extremely rewarding surpassing, my expectations, and it opened up a new avenue for me.

“As a single mother, I wanted to learn more about politics and help make changes in my community.  Having done the scheme I was able to pass on what I learned.  I am now a Labour candidate for the Church Ward in Liverpool.  My goal has always been to make a positive difference and whatever the outcome of the elections in May, I will continue to champion equality and better representation for my community”.

These positive statements from OBV graduates highlight the urgent need for more BME women to get involved in local politics. Both Ellen and Natalie are talented women who believe in change, and have backed up their aspirations by taking part in a programme that promotes equal representation of women and empowers communities.

Women in the UK have come along way since 1918, when only men had the right to vote in Parliamentary elections. The women’s struggle was a long and hard fight battle for the same privileges. For this reason both women are encouraging their community to use their vote wherever elections are taking place next month, and additionally to become active in community affairs and local politics.

There is a need to encourage diversity in political representation as presently there are only 144 women MPs out of a total 650 and just 4 women cabinet ministers out of 23. For this reason the GEO (Government Equalities Office) aims to tackle this under representation by promoting equalities and strengthening women’s voices.

It is also still a fact that women, especially BME (Black and other minority ethnic), are still under-represented in many areas of political life.  Initiatives such as the Government’s BAME Women’s Councillor Taskforce grew out of the need for more Black, Asian and Ethnic minority women to become more confident about their place in society by playing an active role in public life.

Francine Fernandes, Head of Shadowing Schemes said: “I commend Natalie, Ellin and all the other OBV graduates who within a very short period of time have moved from political bystanders to future political leaders. The outcome of these individuals taking their place in local governance will transform their locality and greatly enhance our democracy.”

Other OBV graduates standing in the May Council elections are, Bristol Councillor Shadowing Scheme graduate Waliur Rahman, Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme graduates Orlanzo Cole in Leicester and Phillip Olanipekun in Surrey. 

Natalie Simon

Picture: Ellin Joseph (left) and Natalie Nicholas (right).