Operation Black Vote 2015 General Election Manifesto

Britain, it is argued by some is now a post racial society. And in this ‘post racial’ world, the political and economic discussion on race inequality is no longer needed because, some claim, those barriers no longer exist.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The problem begins with largely monocultural political parties which seek to represent a diverse and multicultural society. At our present rate of progress in selecting Black and minority ethnic MPs in winnable seats, we will have to wait to 2060 to see a representative Parliament.

Furthermore, racial discrimination although routinely denied by individuals and institutions, has become amplified under the brutal lens of an economic down turn and the austerity measures that unwittingly hit BME communities hardest.

For example, Black youth unemployment has increased by 50%, and local authority cuts haveseen a disproportionate number of Black women, working in the public sector suffer redundancies. Even at the top end of the pay scale, board members and senior management structures are too often virtually all white.

And perhaps at the sharpest end - the Criminal Justice System - the Ministry of Justice itself has acknowledged growing racial disparities in the administration of justice.

To tackle these and other persistent racial inequalities OBV demand that all political parties have a grand plan to tackle inequality which is able to transform our institutions and unlock BME talent in the UK.

So what should we demanding from all the political parties?

OBV has produced short manifesto for change focussing on democratic reform and delivering race equality. Democratic reform that rebalances power away from Westminister and back into the hands of the people. If we want to hold our politicians to better account then we need to ensure they feel the white hot heat of real accountability.

To combat this OBV demands all political parties and any incoming Government, should now commit to a comprehensive ground zero-based review of every single department of Government in relation to race equality We need to radically reform race equality legislation and Government policy if we are to deliver the promise of race equality in our lifetimes.

Any party that is serious about race equality must have a comprehensive plan demonstrating how, when and with level of resources they seek to tackle racism.

Given that the BME vote could decide who wins and who loses in over 160 marginal seats, it is in the parties' interest to take this seriously

Trite, condescending election sound bites are not enough. We need a plan not platitudes, each of the parties must produce detailed proposals of how they intend to tackle race inequality.

Our plan to reform democracy will be to introduce MP recall so as to enable local people to recall and force a by-election if dissatisfied with their MP. These and other reforms, if secured can fundamentally reset trust and confidence in our system of democracy and finally bring to an end the toxic legacy of racism in Britain.

So, we ask that you circulate and share these basic demands and when the politicians come knocking for your vote ask them if they're committed to reforming democracy and fighting racism.

In unity we can secure the future for our children and the nation.

Click here to download the full manifesto.

OBV Staff Reporter