Welcome to the next generation of BME MPs

It was a journey which began and ended at the Houses of Parliament; a journey which lasted just five months but has equipped a group of aspiring leaders with knowledge, experience and confidence to play their part in making the UK a better place to live in.

Back in October 2011, 25 men and women were chosen from across the nation to take part in Operation Black Vote's groundbreaking Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme, which would take them to the corridors of power in a bid to understand the mechanics of politics and democracy in Britain.

Group image of participants on the OBV Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme outside Houses of Parliament in October 2011

The group were unveiled to an audience which included high profile figures including MPs such as Sam Gyimah, Sadiq Khan, Sir Menzies Campbell and Simon Hughes. Also in attendance was the likes of entrepreneur Dr Rami Ranger.

It would have been understandable if some had felt nervous or apprehensive about being at such an iconic institution, interacting with members of parliament who most of us only ever see on TV or in the newspapers.

But here they were, about to play their part which would help them develop the skills to take up leading roles in political, public and civic life. We are sure all of them will become community leaders, some will put themselves forward as councillors, or perhaps as an MP, just like OBV graduate Helen Grant, who became the first black female Conservative MP at the 2010 general election. More recently, Clive Lewis, who took part in the last MP Shadowing Scheme, has been put forward as Labour’s official candidate for Norwich South in the 2015 election.

On Thursday, the group came to the end of their journey on the scheme no longer Shadows, but added their name to the illustrious OBV alumni list and more importantly, setting off on the road to transforming the landscape of politics in Britain.

Group image of graduates from the OBV Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme outside 10 Downing Street last week

Their day of celebration began with a tour of 10 Downing Street, one of the most prestigious residences of power in Britain. There, they were given a tour of the house, which has been home to British Prime Ministers since 1735. Stepping behind the famous Black door, they knew they were at the place where the most important decisions affecting Britain for the last 275 years have been made.

Lib Dem Shadows outside 10 Downing Street

As they took their seats in the Cabinet room one shadow gave a rousing speech, fittingly sitting in the Prime Minister’s very own seat, saying that one day, the dream of being in this very room, let alone taking the PM’s chair, could become a reality – “we can do anything we put our minds to”.

Conservative shadows outside 10 Downing Street

The tour also included a visit to the White Drawing Room, which is often used as the backdrop for television interviews and is used as a meeting room for staff. At the State Dining Room, the group were told a number of stories, including the day Prime Minister David Cameron cleared the room to have a little rally with British Tennis player Andy Murray, just managing to avoid hitting the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

Labour shadows outside 10 Downing Street

After taking some snaps outside the famous black door at No.10, it was off to the House of Lords for afternoon tea with friends, families and important dignitaries, who awaited to greet and congratulate the group.

OBV Director Simon Woolley addresses invited audience at House of Lords

“Welcome to my house,…I mean the House,” began OBV director Simon Woolley, to a chorus of laughs and cheers, but on reflection, it was an opening line which befitted not only the shadowing scheme, but the tireless work that OBV has done over 15 years to make sure that members of all communities which make up Britain can feel at home in the corridors of power.

OBV graduates and guests enjoy afternoon tea at the House of Lords

Simon spoke about the organisation’s pride of watching a group of men and women from the BME communities find their voice and confidence to be in all areas and all levels of political and public life. In highlighting this new generation of leaders he spoke about succession planning.

“When I look around the room, and I see some of the distinguished individuals who are here with us, that I acutely understand the OBV project. Which is in essence, a succession plan; a plan that learns from those who have paved the way for us. And in this celebration of your graduation, we need to pay tribute those who have paved the way.”

OBV graduates and guests enjoy graduation ceremony at House of Lords

To make his point, Simon brought forward Baroness Ros Howells, Diane Abbott MP, OBV graduate Sundar Thava and his little son to show the different generations, and how we all have a duty of care not only to thank those who have indeed paved the way, but also take on the responsibility of continuing the fight and eventually passing the baton on to the next generation, with the hope their fight and struggles will be less than those before them.

(From left): OBV graduate Sundar Thava with his young son, OBV director Simon Woolley, Baroness Ros Howells and Diane Abbott MP

“With your hard work and endeavour and aspiration for yourself and your children, we will succeed. We want you to be brilliant but also a representative of the community. But when you’re there, you speak about the issues the Chinese, Asian, African and Caribbean communities are facing, speak about the issues women are facing. And don’t be burdened by that, wear it as a badge of honour.”

OBV graduates Josh Babarinde, Parveen Hassan and Thandiwe Khumalo

The invited guests were treated to enthralling and confident speeches from three shadows, Josh Babarinde, Thandiwe Khumalo and Parveen Hassan, who spoke with real passion and conviction which made you believe this would not be the last time they would speak at Parliament.

Tom Brake MP, Diane Abbott MP and Downing St advisor Shaun Bailey 

Guest speakers included Diane Abbott MP, Tom Brake MP and Downing St advisor Shaun Bailey, who told the audience, “although not directly, I am a product of OBV. I’m here because they demanded my party do better on Black representation.”

“This,” he continued, “is much more than a ‘think tank’, it’s a ‘do tank’, and we all benefit from it.”

The day concluded with a formal roll-call of each shadow before the last of the tea was drank and the crumbs of the sandwiches and cakes were all that remained on the plates. The scheme may have formally concluded, but the 25 shadows are now part of the family and no doubt, OBV will be covering their journeys on our website, Facebook and Twitter.

Conservative graduates with Shaun Bailey

Lib Dem graduates with Andrew Stunell MP

Labour graduates with Meg Hillier MP

To say the shadowing scheme has been a real success is an understatement. OBV would firstly like to thank Communities and Local Government department and the MPs who gave their time to act as mentors and give an insight into what happens in the seats of power. We would also like to thank the shadows, who have been outstanding on the programme and made it worthwhile.

OBV team including director Simon Woolley

Lastly, a big thank you from OBV to Francine Fernandes and Jyoti Bhojani. They have worked tirelessly and selflessly, not only during this scheme, but over the years to continue to be the first port-of-call for the shadows, helping to make sure things ran smoothly.

Zohaib Rashid

All images (except first image) taken by Colin Patterson