OBV welcome black face in Government

OBV has been speaking to all the party bosses over the last several months about utilising the existing talent within the party, but also positive action programmes to recruit, retain and promote Black talent in all areas, at all levels

Simon Woolley, National Co-ordinator of OBV said: "We welcome this move by the Government to appoint a black person to high office. Paul Boateng has shown himself to be competent and talented, and we congratulate him, it is astounding that the Labour Party has taken fifteen years to realise this. Furthermore, there are more MP's and members in the party who too should have an opportunity to allow their talents to shine".

Lee Jasper, Chair of OBV said: "For the first time in Black and Parliamentary history our communities will have a figure to aspire to in Government. This gives hope that Black youth too can be MPs, Ministers or indeed the Prime Minister. However, there must be root and branch change if Parliament and political parties are to sustain progress and reflect the UK's racial diversity. A positive programme to recruit, retain and promote Black talent will go a long way towards reaching our goal of an equitable and modern democracy."

There are currently 12 black MPs in Parliament, were Parliament to reflect the racial diversity in the UK this figure should reach 55 to 60.

There have been two black ministers in the history of this Labour Government and in the history of the UK Parliament

Notes to the editor

OBV has been speaking to all the political party leaders about positive action to recruit, retain and promote black talent within the political parties