OBV: Preparing for high office

The group of 15 are Shadowing high profile politicians for six months as part of the Operation Black Vote and Commission for Racial Equality MP Shadowing scheme. The programme which is the first of its kind is nearly at an end, but it has enabled those involved to get invaluable experience of power politics and the often stressful life of an MP.

Simon Woolley of Operation Black Vote states: "We are extremely proud of the group. They have not only developed as individuals, but they have also helped change attitudes within the political parties on how Black people are viewed. I am absolutely convinced that within a short space of time elected representatives will come from this dynamic group."

OBV and the CRE are looking to continue the programme and extend it to the European Parliament. Many MEPs have already expressed an interest to support a similar scheme.

Notes to the editor

The Operation Black Vote Shadowing Scheme is the first to specifically target ethnic minorities.Some Parliamentarians involved in the scheme: Rt. Hon Charles Kennedy MP, Menzies Campbell MP, Simon Hughes MP, Richard Allen MP Jackie Ballard MP, Oona King MP, Fiona McTaggart MP, Barbara Follett, MP, John Gummer MP, Peter Bottomly MP.