ABOUT BAME LABOUR

  The aims of BAME Labour relevant to the Speaker's Conference are:

— To increase the number of elected representatives in Parliament and elsewhere

— To make Parliament and other elected bodies more representative of the UK.

— The information that we submit relates specifically to the representation of ethnic minorities in Parliament and other elected bodies.

  The information we submit is:

  1.  Following on from 1987 when four minority MPs (Bernie Grant, Diane Abbott, Paul Boateng and Keith Vaz) were elected at the same general election since then 21 years later there has never been a greater number of ethnic minority MP's elected at any one election. To date we have just 15 minority MPs in the whole House.

  2.  That it is important that Parliament and other elected bodies reflect the population of the UK because it is fair, just and equitable. If we are to reflect the ethnic minority percentage in the country as a whole we would have 54 ethnic minority MPs.

  The main reason the number of women MPs has increased to the numbers it has today is because of the introduction of all women shortlists with the breakthrough coming in 1997. The introduction of AWS has not made the House any less of a place, quite the opposite, we believe it has enhanced the quality of the debate; it is now arguably more informed and knowledgeable.

  3.  That we believe Parliament needs to challenge the stereotype that all MPs are white and male. For this to be done there needs to be a culture shift and a cultural change otherwise we will be no nearer finding or producing a British "Barack Obama"

  4.  That we believe it is important for young black or Asian children to be encouraged to take an interest in Parliament, for example through doing work experience and other appropriate Parliamentary work. This will help motivate them to continue their interest in politics at a later life and may encourage them to want to become MP's themselves.

  5.  The political parties need to address the stereotyping in their selection procedures. As an MP is a job they should tackle this by first doing an audit of its membership, its elected representatives and making public its findings. It should then consider how to tackle the deficit by taking appropriate advice. Parties should address the cost of standing for Parliament and perhaps seek to put a limit. Parties should set strong targets of the numbers of BAME candidates and use outside agencies to help them meet these targets.

  Stereotype in the selection procedure can manifest itself by locals branches not readily accepting a BAME candidature—for example losing application forms, holding meetings in culturally insensitive or inappropriate buildings, advertising the meeting at a particular time and then shifting the time sometimes even the venue!

  National parties have got to intervene and perhaps take over the selection process in order to see that ethnic candidates are given an equal and fair chance.

  6.  That British Parliamentarians look to the American system and learn the examples of the work done there, particularly on positive action.

  7.  Parliament will command greater public legitimacy and confidence if it truly reflects the people it seeks to serve.

  8.  All political parties devise schemes to "talent spot" new members and help, encourage and motivate them with a view to fast-tracking then through the system

  9.  All political parties should find ways of breaking down the barriers that sees new black and Asian members attend one meeting and not attend again. Parties should be more welcoming. Parties should ensure the grass-roots structure encourages members to feel safe and able to contribute their talents.

  10.  Political parties should be encouraged to develop mentoring and shadowing schemes

FINAL RECOMMENDATION:

  Whilst we recognise there is no one magic formula that will at a stroke change the make-up of parliament we believe our deliberation with various candidates and activists from all over the country leads us to believe that Parliament should legislate to allow for all black shortlists.

  This single measure will be the only way to seek equality and fairness for ethnic minority candidates and legitimise the UK parliament in what is a multi cultural multi religious and highly diverse country in the world. This will ensure that we get a critical mass and therefore change attitudes forthwith in order to address an imbalance that persists. We have a serious problem here, not just in Parliament but in regional assemblies and local councils. Everyone will benefit and the symbolism of Barack Obama can be replicated here in the UK.