Reclaiming Democracy: The Magna Carta and M L K

2015 is the year we celebrate the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta that sought to limit the overwhelming abuse of power by kings and princes. It was an effort the check the executive abuse of power by the privileged.

This year we also saw the release, some 50 years later, of the epic movie, Selma charting the events that lead to the ending of American Jim Crow. The fact that this film has not received an Oscar is a scandal and an issue I'll be returning too elsewhere.

More importantly, 2015 is a general election year. These important anniversaries and events, provides a perfect opportunity to look at the state of race equality and the state of British democracy.

All of these themes will be reflected in Operation Black Vote’s launch of its Reclaiming Democracy campaign in capital of Black Britain, in the world famous Windrush Square, Lambeth Brixton SW2 1JF at 12 noon.

Can voting change anything?

OBV was founded and inspired by the work of civil rights struggle in the deep south of America. It was here, that Dr. Martin Luther King took on the gargantuan tasks of securing equality, civil rights, including voting rights for African Americans, struggling under the Jim Crow American apartheid system.

He understood that the dream of a free and equal America could only be delivered if the nightmare of racism, poverty and inequality was addressed.

His call for universal suffrage was certainly not an endorsement of Jim Crow America. He wasn’t watching black people being battered, bloodied, subjected to lynching’s, profound injustice and simply offering the vote as the solution to their problems.

In the later years of Kings career he also understood that profound economic inequality was central tenant of US racism.

King wanted people to have the vote, so that we could begin the long process of changing the American system.

So King came to change America, his call for black people to be allowed to vote could not be seen as an endorsement of the system he wanted to change.

Democracy in decline

And here in the UK as we see the continued growth of racism and racial inequality urging people to register to vote is no way an endorsement of such racism. In recognition of Operation Black Vote calls on people to register to vote and then translate that vote for a demand for urgent reform of our broken democratic system.

Voter turnout in the UK is on a downward trend as the public becomes increasingly alienated from a 19th century democratic process that has largely disempowered and alienated poorer communities. People are losing confidence in democracy and politics and in the context of austerity economics represents a real opportunity for the growth of extremism.

European radicalization is far in access of that seen in America. A Muslim in the US feels American, whereas Black and Muslim people in the UK feel excluded from the idea of an inclusive British citizenship. Poorer communities feel abandoned and used by politicians and have voted with their feet, turning their back on a system that in effect has left many feeling disempowered.

Real political accountability outside of elections is a fiction. The scandal of Parliamentary democracy including MP’s and Lords expenses, cash for honours, failures to investigate alleged child abuse scandals including those involving MP’s, the failure of parties to deliver their manifesto promises have all contributed to a general distrust of politicians and political parties.

And let’s be clear that is most politicians and those power places like it. The Westminster political elite prefer an electorate saturated by consumerism and indifferent about democracy.

The last thing that many in power want is 100% democratic registration and participation. The have a vested interest in keeping you locked out of real political accountability.

We believe we urgently need to radically reform politics, in order to restore public confidence in our democracy. MP recall; removing big business; their lobbyists and money from politics; introducing state funding for all political parties; ensuring votes for 16 year olds and holding multiple election simultaneously over weekends; all form part of OBV Reclaiming Democracy campaign.

Ending racism in a generation

In terms of racial inequalities recent research published by the Runnymede Trust has demonstrated that these inequalities are widening and there is a growing gap between black, Muslim and white citizen.

OBV is demanding that all political parties adopt clear plans that commit to ending racism in a generation and tackle race inequality, particularly in employment, education, and the criminal justice system. In order to ensure party political manifestos are not just empty rhetoric we need to urgently tackle the profound democratic deficit and restore confidence in democracy.

Far from making progress on race equality we’ve seen the growth of racism. It is a fact that at the present rate of modest progress and large-scale regression, true racial equality cannot be delivered in our lifetime.

To guarantee racial equality for all British citizens, we need new positive discrimination legislation offering hope and opportunity to all. We need Cabinet level lead for Race; we need the urgent reform and strengthen the powers and legislation underpinning the Equalities and Human Rights Commission

OBV’s call is for people to register to vote to change the system and empower communities. In voting for change, we all have a greater chance of holding all our politicians to account and provide a real bulwark against extremism.

OBV’s research has proven there is no better time to seek these changes. With the General Election result riding on a knife-edge, every vote counts and this presents a real opportunity to use your vote to upgrade our democracy.

OBV: On the road to changing democracy

OBV aims to target more than 1 million new voters, many in marginal seats which could decide who wins May’s 2015 General Election. OBV’s research has clearly shown that the Black and minority ethnic vote could be a deciding factor in up to 168 marginal seats. Combined with the vote of poor communities and together we can change British democracy and empowers citizens, not deflate and alienate them.

OBV eXpress unveils its new voter registration battle bus

The bus will tour the country targeting marginal seats and areas of high numbers of unregistered voters. On board the bus, we can register people to vote online. All that’s needed to register to vote on line is your National Insurance number, it’s that simple.

Although the OBV has traditionally targeted BME voters, we are now broadening our appeal and also working in partnership with other organisations including Operation Disability Vote, Bite the Ballot and constitutional reform campaigns.

So come down to Windrush Square to see the start of OBV Reclaiming Democracy tour that will of course include areas with high BME populations from Brixton to Bradford, to Birmingham to Bristol and many more.

Only by reclaiming and reforming democracy can we ensure that political parties can effectively be held to account during, after and in between elections, through mass democratic participation.

In this year of Magna Carta lets radically reform our democracy and empower all British citizens ending the constant drain on confidence and deep cynicism that threatens us all.

Come down to Windrush Square on Thursday 12 noon, and let's call time on the abuse of power by all political parties and return power back to the people.

Lee Jasper
Founding and former Chair of OBV