Time for a Black Mayor in London?

Having just endured one of the longest and most surprising general elections in modern times, OBV now turns its attention toward the 2016 London Mayoral elections. Over the next few months we will be focussing on the London Mayoral selection processes, of all the major parties.

The London Labour Party membership stands at around 38,000 people. That means, the mass involvement of the general public can dramatically influence this contest. The stone cold reality is this: we can significantly influence the outcome of these Mayoral elections. We need only need one of London's large Mosque's or Churches to jointly sign up anything up to 10,000 members and we can ensure that a black candidate emerges as Labour candidate. That’s a prize surely worth having.

In addition to leadership and mobilisation of our communities, we believe that all of Labour's black candidates should, like us, think about the enormity of having a black representative in, what many regard as, a city state. Therefore, if they fail to secure sufficient support to make the shortlist, then they should urge their supporters to back a black candidate on the shortlist.

That’ s what we call real black unity, sacrificing personal agendas for the greater good. Such is the increase in unemployment, poverty and homelessness in the black community at present, nothing else will suffice. It is therefore, we believe incumbent on all Labour's black candidates to make this public pledge and we call on them to do so.

Once all the candidates are selected, we will be focusing on their commitment to promoting equality and tackling racism and discrimination in the capital.

London is a world city; a city state. We are not just diverse, we are in fact hyper diverse, and the capital is facing a series of crises that will need to feature high on the policy agendas of all major parties, if they wish to secure what is, after all, the second most prestigious political post in Britain, after that of Prime Minister. We believe that it is now time that London choose a black Mayor to represent the most diverse city on the face of the planet.

With the current constitutional discussions about the importance of a representative democracy now raging, we believe the London Mayoralty offers the capital the opportunity to lead the country and elect a black Mayor. Imagine for one moment the powerful signal that would be sent around the world, about the nature of British democracy and the ability of anyone to achieve high office.

The 2016 London Mayoral election will be held on 5 May 2016.

First in this series of articles, we look today at the selection process for the Labour Mayoral candidate. Following the recommendations of the much heralded, internal Labour Party's Collins Review, published in 2014, Labour has adopted open selection primaries.  In short, absolutely anyone, regardless of whether you're a Labour Party member or not, can now vote in their Mayoral selection contest. You can pay your fee and sign up here.

This is quite unique and a real opportunity for Londoners. It's now so easy to get involved in the Labour Mayoral selection process. Non members simply pay a one off fee of £3 and that’s it, you're eligible to vote.

Here is the published Labour London Mayor selection timetable which, handily also applies also to the Labour Party Leadership selection process :

• Wednesday 13 May – Applications open
• Wednesday 20 May Noon – Applications Close. Nominations (from Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) and affiliates) open
• Wednesday 10th June – Nominations Close
• Friday 12th June – Selection Committee determines long-list
• Saturday 13th June – Short-list announced CLP nomination deadline.
• Wednesday 12th Aug Noon – Last date to register as a supporter or as an affiliated supporter in London or to join the Labour Party in London and be eligible to vote.
• Friday 14th Aug – Votes despatched
• Thursday 10th Sept – Ballot closes
• Saturday 12th Sept - Leader and Deputy leader results announced.
• Sunday 13th Sept - Mayoral candidate announced.

Labour London Mayoral declared candidates

Candidates need at least five nominations from Labour constituencies in London and at least one nomination from affiliates such as unions, the Co-op or Fabian Society etc. Constituency Labour Parties can nominate candidates up to 13th June.

The shortlist will be revealed on the 13th June, after candidates are interview by a selection committee comprised by three members of the London Regional Board and three members of the National Executive Committee.

Here are the declared Labour candidates to date as of 28th May 2015.

• Diane Abbott MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.
• Tessa Jowell former minister who recently stood down as an MP.
• Sadiq Khan MP for Tooting
• David Lammy MP for Tottenham and former Minister.
• Gareth Thomas MP for Harrow East and former minister.
• Christian Wolmar, individual member.

Open primaries are a great innovation and afford a real opportunity to influence who is the Labour Mayoral candidate. Such is the importance of the Mayor from everything from air quality to policing, housing and transport that Labour primaries represent a unique democratic opportunity that is literally, too good to miss.

Lee Jasper