Failure to select Black candidate in Brent will mean disaster for Labour Party

The Labour party failed to select a Black or Asian woman recently in both Hackney and West Ham, and failure to do so in Brent could spell the death nail for the party's unprecedented support from Black and minority ethnic communities.

Simon Woolley, Head of Operation Black Vote stated: 'With his rise to high office Paul Boteng symbolised positive Black empowerment, and yet, the Labour party, instead of consolidating that base has undermined it in its policies and its failure to select more BME candidates in safe seats. If Labour fail to select a BME candidate in Brent South, BME communities will justifiably lose faith in the party that once had the staunch support of Black and Asian people'.

Next week OBV along with a coalition of BME organisations and faith groups will be launching a radical Black manifesto for the General Election. The manifesto will call for 'All Black shortlists' to address the lack of BME politicians. OBV will simultaneously highlight the 70 marginal seats where the BME vote can swing the Election outcome.