FIYAZ MUGHAL OBE FCMI - Experience, Energy , Vision and Empowering Those I Represent <info@fiyazmughal.org.uk>
GLA Selection Results Show That There is a Lot of Work to Be Done by The Party
June 8, 2007 4:05 AM
The recent GLA selections for the Liberal Democrats show that there is a lot of work to be done. Out of the 10 individuals selected to be on the 'GLA list,' only 2 were from Black and Minority Ethnic communities and they were way down the list.
I have been working within the Party since 2000 and from 2002-2006, I was the Chair of the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats. Holding a national remit, I campaigned, informed and lobbied senior members of the Party to get their act together and to ensure that there were adequate resources put into supporting and mentoring potential BME candidates within the Party. The response I got was poor and was pure lipservice. During 2006 - 7, I was appointed as one of the Deputy Presidents of the national Party with a remit of working on BME issues and campaigning with community groups. One year of proposing recommendations led to virtually no actions centrally, save for last minute action by using Joseph Rowntree Funds to try to support BME candidates - by throwing money at the problem. Very little mentoring and guidance work took place, even less headhunting of candidates took place and the covert culture of 'it will happen over time,' took over again.
So here we are! Looking out of touch with a modern London and not looking like we reflect this modern and vibrant City. I guess it is back to the drawing board for many of us and I personally feel embarrassed that we have not managed to select one candidate from a BME community to be high on the GLA selection list. Carpe Dieum Liberal Democrats - Please, please seize the day or we will look out-dated and frankly out of touch!!!
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