Prime Minister, Tony Blair meets the next generation of Black politicians

Twenty-five political hopefuls from the Operation Black Vote (OBV) and CRE MP Shadowing scheme were invited to meet the Prime Minister in his Westminster Chambers. The Prime Minister's meeting with the shadows reinforced the message that support for a diverse Parliament needs to be at the top of the parties agenda.

Over the last six months MPs across England, Scotland and Wales have taken part in the mentoring programme aimed at improving the political representation of Black and other minority ethnic communities in local and national politics. The scheme has already produced three councillors, two magistrates, and a number of other public appointees.

Prime Minister, Tony Blair said: "It is very important that people participate in politics. If people give up on politics, they give up on change. It is encouraging that Operation Black Vote is bringing people from marginalised communities into the democratic process".

Simon Woolley OBV's National Co-ordinator stated: 'The next Generation of Black politicians are ready now and waiting for the mainstream parties to recognise their talent and promote them to high office. Support from the Prime Minster will go a long way to ensure the message for a more representative democracy is a goal to be achieved'.

Shadow Ansumana Marrow said: "The scheme is a multi-faceted approach to dealing with the under-representation of ethnic minorities in the political system. I found that it removed the misconception that Black people are politically apathetic".