A week is a long time in politics

At 7.20pm the speaker announced, 'The ayes to the right 316, the no's to the left 311. Blair had scraped through with his controversial education plans by just five votes. Then, some fifteen hours later his credibility and moreover, his integrity was on line as Lord Hutton delivered his long awaited report surrounding the death of biology scientist Dr Kelly. Having been categorically exonerated from all wrong doings by Hutton, 'Teflon Tony' went from zero to almost hero, (according to some) within the space of 24 hrs.

But my week in politics was not nearly so dramatic or personal and yet one that fills me with hope that the Black political project can succeed despite the deluge of obstacles. I wrote on these pages just over a week ago about the bitter disappoint I, and many others had, that the Hackney South Labour party failed to select a Black candidate in an area that boasted more than 40% BME in the constituency. I argued that although there was no God-given right that dense BME areas should have a BME candidate, opportunities for more Black politicians were so thin on the ground that these few chances had to be seized upon. Yes, I was disappointed with the Hackney result, but far from down and out.

I have always been counselled that the struggle to ensure Britain's Black communities are afforded equality of opportunity in health, education, employment, and many other areas is just that, a struggle. Understanding that our communities must constantly endure disappointment and still be ready for the next battle is knowledge and a source of great empowerment. Giving up, therefore, never becomes an option.

After over a year of lobbying the Liberal Democratic party - as we have with all the other mainstream parties - they finally announced the launch of their comprehensive BME diversity programme that has the potential to literally change the face of Liberal Democratic politics. Backed by targets and training schemes the project has taken on board much of OBV's request for the political parties to have within their party structure a programme that includes recruitment, retention and promotion of BMEs within the party. True, it is step one of ten, but without it the securing of greater Black membership, more councillors, the first Black Lib Dem MP and policies that reflect wider than the narrow white liberal base, will be left more to luck than judgement.

Acknowledging the point and the contribution that OBV has made to progress of this initiative the Party Leader Charles Kennedy stated: 'OBV rightly points out that this is the end of the beginning of a long process, and we shall expect to be taken to task over every word of the document if we fail. We must ensure that our party reflects the people we seek to serve'.

Although the Lib Dem diversity launch was a good news story, it is one that can only bear fruit in the medium term. Immediate success is always more scarce. Yet on Sunday 26th January at Tooting town Hall at around 7pm the only Black candidate on Labour's short list for the forth-coming vacant seat won through. The civil rights lawyer Saddiq Khan's hard work in the borough and perseverance had paid off. He was not the favourite to win, indeed Labour party bosses, and I have to say myself, included envisaged another potential seat for a Black candidate biting the dust. But no. From Hackney disappointment to Tooting jubilation. His selection victory almost guarantees another Black politician in parliament.

A week in Black politics has not seen the political and emotional roller-coaster that the Prime Minster clung on to. Nevertheless, it has demonstrated that if we persist and continue to work hard we will achieve success. Looking back we must rapidly and honestly learn the lessons of what went wrong in Hackney and why Tooting was able to deliver success.