Labour treats London's Black communities with scant regard

With so few there is a real danger of Labour having no Black candidate for the Assembly (24 places).

The African, Asian, Caribbean and other ethnic minority communities at present represent 35% of the capital's population (London Research Centre). This figure, according to the Home Office, will rise to nearly 40% by the year 2004. Despite this, and despite the Prime Minister's fine rhetoric about Britain cannot be a beacon of light with so few Black political representatives, the Labour party find themselves in a disgraceful position of only putting forward five, possibly six candidates.

Simon Woolley, National Co-ordinator stated: "More than 85% of Black voters vote Labour. They have done so during the good years and bad. This is how such loyalty is treated. It is very difficult for us to inspire participation from our people when they see this kind of behaviour from political parties.

Unlike the past, Labour cannot claim there was a shortage of quality Black candidate. Quality people such as Peter Herbet, Kumar Mushid were thrown out before interview stage. We have always argued that the GLA offers parties and democracy as a whole, a golden opportunity to be inclusive and representative. However, unless urgent action is taken the Black communities will be served more of the same old, same old. "