Shailesh Vara: Making political history

A small but significant piece of history occurred on the floor of Her Majesty’s Parliament. In the absence of his boss the Justice Minster Ken Clarke, Justice whip, Shailesh Vara become the first Conservative Asian politician to represent the Government at the Dispatch box.

Vara a highly regarded MP will surely be well placed for a full ministerial role in any forth coming reshuffle of Government Ministers.

Vara has been around for some time. I first met him in 2001 when he contested the Northampton seat. There he faced racism not only from the BNP, and the mainstream opposition parties, but also ‘friendly fire’ coming from those within his own party. Undeterred, he soldiered on and only lost by a handful of votes. In 2005 he went on, along with Adam Afriyie to become the Conservatives only two BME Conservative MPs.

Shailesh Vara, your place is now enshrined in history. Well done!

We await more progress and, as you would expect, demand of you a greater voice within the Justice agenda in those areas such as Legal aid, that are disproportionately affecting BME communities.

Simon Woolley