White men only…
Why, in Britain’s most ethnically diverse borough, are all of the Lib Dem town hall bosses white men?
January 2006

Labour Councillor Donatus Anyanwu

Lambeth’s Labour councillors have denounced the Lib Dems controlling Britain’s most ethnically diverse borough for their failure to appoint any black or female councillors from their own Party to the Council’s ruling Executive during their four years in control. Their failure to do so has meant the council leadership is unrepresentative and doesn’t respond adequately to the concerns of women or black and minority ethnic communities.

Over 40% of Lambeth residents are black and yet 100% of the executive positions on Lambeth council are held by white people.

The Liberal Democrats who have run Lambeth since May 2002 have made no effort to produce a front bench team that reflects the people they serve. As a result all key decisions on housing, council tax, social services and regeneration are taken without the input of even one member of Lambeth’s huge BME community or a single women.

In contrast Lambeth Labour has engaged with the black community through its nationally recognised “Integrated Voices” programme. The programme, led by BME Labour Party members with the full support of the local Party, has sought to develop the skills of potential black councillors who can take up leadership positions on the Council if Labour regains control in May. The programme has already led to Labour selecting a representative number of black and female candidates in winnable Labour-held seats at the May 2006 local elections.

Front bench Labour councillor, Donatus Anyanwu, said:

“The Liberal Democrats in Lambeth have never taken issues of ethnic or gender representation seriously. Labour believes women and ethnice minorities should have a strong voice on Lambeth Council so that it can respond to their concerns.”

“The council’s policies have a deep impact on the lives of people in this part of London. If the people making those decisions are all middle-class, middle aged, white men they will not be able to appreciate the needs of our diverse communities.”

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