The representation of Black and other minority ethnic (BAME) women at every level of governance from the Houses of Parliament to local government is woefully low. Of the 646 MPs in Westminster, two are BAME women and out of 20,000 Councillors, 149 are BME women, representing less than 1% of Councillors nationally.
For the third year running, the Chinese Lib Dems set up a stall at the annual Dragon Boat Race at the Royal Albert Docks and joined in the festivities to raise funds for various Chinese community charities. It was also an opportunity to fly the Lib Dem flag and race as the 'Democracy Dragons' alongside about 40 other boats including teams from the Chinese Embassy, Hongkong University Alumni and the British Chinese Group. At the drums this year was Farid Ahmed, Parliamentary Candidate for Walthamstowe who set the pace for the 16 rowers. Lib Dem Cllr Faruque Ansari, Mayor of Camden also attended the event as one of the VIP guests.
Last June, we took part in the Dragon Boat Race organised by London Chinatown Lions Club and competed with 43 other boats, coming in the top 10 and within a few seconds of being in the final 3! We raced as the Democracy Dragons -- Min Zhu Loong (民主龙), with our Chair Cllr Linda Chung, as the drummer setting the pace for our 16 rowers.
Thousands of people, both British and non British turned up in Trafalgar Square on bank holiday Monday for the 'Strangers into Citizens' rally. On this issue, those from various faith groups, trade unionists as well as politicians were agreed, undocumented workers are valuable to our British economy and should be given respect and protection under the law.
Do you have an interest in local issues and would you like to make a difference in your community? Do you think you have the skills and commitment to make changes and be a champion for your area? If so, find out more about how you can get involved and become a Candidate in future local Council elections.
A series of free regional seminars have been organised by the Ministry of Justice and OBV to recruit future Magistrates. These will be held in April through to the summer in Leicester, Bristol and London.