Black political power in Britain

Hannah K. Strange:

Black and ethnic minority voters could decide over 70 marginal seats in the coming British election, according to campaign group Operation Black Vote. The group, which Thursday launched "The Black Manifesto," is warning political parties they will be punished at the ballot box if they ignore the needs of minority communities.

The manifesto calls for greater representation in central government of black and ethnic minority communities, through the creation of a new post of race minister and a new race equalities unit in the Cabinet.

Bringing the fight against racism to Cabinet level would be "a quantum leap forward," said Karen Chouhan of the 1990 Trust.

"The old methods of dealing with racism and inequality clearly haven't worked. We cannot leave generation after generation without hope of the possibility of positive change."

A "comprehensive rethink" is needed, she added.

The manifesto also demands proportionate parliamentary representation through the introduction of all black shortlists for party candidates in constituencies with significant black populations.

Political under-representation is the primary cause of non-participation among black and ethnic minority communities, says the coalition -- which includes organizations such as the National Black Police Association, the Muslim Association of Britain and the Society of Black Lawyers.

A recent joint study by OBV and the Electoral Commission found that 43 percent of black Britons - defined as all ethnic minority Britons -- cited greater political representation as a decisive factor in encouraging them to vote.

"Black people feel that without better representation, local or national politics at best fails to understand the concerns of black communities and at worst does not care," the manifesto states.

At present there are only 13 black members of Parliament out of 659. If ethnic minorities, who make up 7.9 percent of the population, were proportionately represented the figure would be 52.

Other demands include: outlawing the extreme right by banning political parties that contravene race or human rights laws; legally binding intake quotas for low-income black children in high-achieving schools, colleges and universities; and an end to "draconian" asylum policies such as forced dispersal and detention of asylum seekers.

The manifesto also calls for the British government to formally apologize for slavery and colonialism and to set up a reparations tribunal.

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Ethnic groups launch equality manifesto