Exclusive interview with Mr. Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham

It is extremely important for people to become active members of their societies and communities, and to use their democratic rights to make their voices heard, says Mr. Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham. He is convinced that “Politics is a primary vehicle for effecting positive change.”

Mr. Umunna is a specialist employment law solicitor by profession. In addition, he sits on the Board of Generation Next, a not for profit social enterprise which provides activities for young people in London, and has been involved in charitable youth work in Lambeth too.

Prior to becoming Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Streatham, Mr. Umunna was Vice Chair of Streatham Labour Party from 2004 to 2008 and had held a variety of positions throughout the local party. He is a member of the GMB and Unite trade unions and sits on the Management Committee of progressive pressure group, Compass.

If elected, Mr. Umunna would be the first MP for Streatham to be from and who grew up in the area. As a person of mixed Nigerian, Irish and English descent, Mr. Umunna would become the first person of Black parentage to represent one of the three parliamentary constituencies covering the Brixton area. Aged 30, if elected Mr. Umunna would also become one of the youngest MPs in the country. Here’s an exclusive interview he granted The AfroNews.

Mr. Umunna, why did you decide to join active politics?

I became involved because politics is a primary vehicle for effecting positive change in my view. Things are a lot better than they were in 1997, but there are still lots of outstanding issues which I feel passionate about and would like to do my bit to address: the persistent inequalities in wealth - why some have so much and some still have so little; the lack of democracy around the world and the failings of our electoral system here in the UK; and, the coming planetary catastrophe which we’re heading for if we don’t get a grip on global warming.

I grew up in and still live in Streatham. During the 1980s the area suffered disproportionately from the adverse affects of Thatcherism and, even at a young age, this made a big impression on me. Also, in my youth I often visited my father’s native Nigeria and came face to face with the extreme poverty one sees in Africa. From there sprung a desire to do something about it and the other challenges we face.

What are the main problems affecting people in Streatham?

Improving transport is important, particularly because Streatham is not as well connected as many other areas in London. Housing is a huge issue nationally, and this is reflected locally in Streatham - we need to ensure that everyone has access to high quality, affordable, decent housing. Education has improved massively - the number of people going to university has increased by more than 81% since 1997 - but continued investment in future generations is essential, particularly with the high demand for school places in London. Young people have suffered disproportionately from unemployment in the downturn, and we must ensure that unlike in the 1980s, they are not abandoned to the scrapheap.

If elected MP, how do you plan to solve these problems?

If elected, I would be a champion for the area, its people and its needs and would work tirelessly for local people. I have half a decade of experience in assisting the current Streatham MP Keith Hill deal with residents’ problems at local advice surgeries and intend to follow his example and the high standards he has set if local people give me the privilege of representing them. Fundamentally, money and resources are always important. For example, to create capacity to deal with the growing demand for school places we are investing in new school buildings for the local area. We are also investing in building new affordable houses in the area, but nationally there needs to be a fundamental transformation in the housing market so affordable homes are available for everyone.

I am young relative to other politicians but have experience outside of Westminster to bring to the table. I am a solicitor, a trustee of two youth charities and a school governor – this can all be brought to bear on policy and on promoting local people’s interests.

Why should the people in Streatham elect you to become their MP?

If elected, I would be the first MP for Streatham to be from and who grew up in the area. I love my community – the place and its people. I understand what makes it tick because it is where I am from and where I grew up. I am part of a new generation which, contrary to popular myth, is not apathetic about politics but disdainful of party politics and the traditional ways of doing things. Politicians need to listen more and lecture less, empower people to make their own decisions, and not patronise. I would work to implement a transformational constitutional reform agenda to bring about the change we want to see, so more people in Streatham and beyond are moved to get involved with and benefit from the democratic process.

You’ve been referred to as the British Obama. How do you feel about that?

Although of course on one level this is very flattering, I’d much rather be known as Streatham’s Chuka Umunna and it can be frustrating when people define you through the prism of somebody else’s identity rather than your own. I am different, and the British political system is different. We shouldn’t be in the situation where every young black politician is compared to Obama.

Does Obama inspire you in any way?

Of course – he’s inspiring in lots of ways, but more than anything else, I admire his determination to do politics differently. This has included building bridges across party divides, using the internet and social networks to communicate with those turned off by traditional politics and eschewing the personal attacks which too often characterise political debate.

The political system in the UK is due a huge change. We need to elect the House of Lords, reform the voting system and crucially get rid of the partisan knockabout politics exemplified by Prime Minister’s Questions which turns many people off. President Obama’s example challenges us to renew our politics here in the UK.

Why do you think BME are underrepresented in Local and National Government?

The current situation is not good enough. One of the main obstacles is the process by which political parties choose candidates – this is something which affects all parties, not just Labour. Personally, I am in favour of open primaries and feel that, while not a panacea, they would certainly be a step in the right direction.

Currently, selection systems often favour those with access to insiders and connections and there is a tendency across all the political parties for party activists to recruit candidates in their own image, which can be a problem. The result can be that the process ends up being closed to others. 13 of the 15 black and minority ethnic MPs currently in the House of Commons are Labour, and in 2001 we were the party which appointed Britain’s first black cabinet minister, Paul Boateng. Since then we have always had someone of colour in the cabinet, which was never the case previously. So while Parliament isn’t yet representative, we should remember that there has been progress in the last decade.

What can be done to improve representation of BME in Local and National Government?

As well as open primaries, which I believe would make a difference, I am in favour of hybrid shortlists. All-women shortlists have had a real impact in improving the representation of women, and similar positive action could work for BME candidates. It is important to bear in mind, though, that according to some estimates there could be as many as 30 BME MPs after this year’s general election, so things are already changing. In terms of representation, the situation of women is in some respects more urgent: currently, less than a fifth of MPs are women.

Do you think a British equivalent of Barack Obama would find it extremely difficult to become Prime Minister?

In the past I always thought a black premier was less likely in the USA, because the President is Head of State while here the Prime Minister is not. I certainly think it’s possible here in my lifetime.

What’s your view on UK’s Foreign Policies in Africa?

The Labour government’s approach to Africa have been very constructive. Crucially, we put international development at the centre of the government agenda by creating the Department for International Development and the UK has trebled its aid spending since 1997.

Like many other Britons with family in Nigeria, I have been concerned about the apparent power vacuum there and the health of the President. Recently, I obtained confirmation from Foreign Secretary David Miliband MP on the British government’s understanding of the political crisis in Nigeria and I continue to monitor the situation closely.

What’s your advice to young people who would like to join active politics?

Get involved and, as Gandhi said, be the change that you want to see. Our system needs to improve, but unless people become involved and agitate for change we won’t see anything happen. The 2008 presidential election in the United States is a great illustration of this - thousands of people were fed up with the status quo and the way politics operated so they registered to vote and became involved in Barack Obama’s campaign in greater numbers than ever before – without this, he would never have become President. Undoubtedly he was a fantastic candidate, but the way the campaign was infused with energy by volunteers, particularly the young, made a real difference. Now, he is poised to become the first US President to implement universal health coverage, and everyone who helped him get elected can claim credit for that achievement.

CHUKA UMUNNA’S CONTACTS AND LINKS
Mr. Chuka Umunna welcomes all who would like to come and help on his campaign in Streatham.
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.streathamlabour.org.uk

By Stephen Ogongo

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Use your vote to make a difference, Umunna urges young people

A 10 Downing Street Petition set up calling for removal of innocent people from criminal database 

Community, church and civil liberties agencies have given their support to a new campaign against the Government’s plans to keep the DNA of innocent people on the criminal DNA database for up to eight years.

The new 10 Downing Street petition launched by the human rights group, Black Mental Health UK, comes on the back of the documentary aired on the BBC's ‘The One Show' last week, which showed that the discriminatory way the DNA database has been used has effectively criminalised Britain's black communities.

Organisers of this campaign say that plans set out in the new Crime and Security Bill to allow the police to retain innocent people’s DNA for up to eight years does not comply with human rights law. In 2008 the European Court ruled that the retention of innocent people’s DNA on the criminal database violates Article 8 of the Human Rights Act. 

The large numbers of innocent black people profiled on the database has led to the criminalisation of this group, equality experts say, adding that addressing this problem is critical to ensuring good community relations.

Community leaders have observed that this is fast becoming an election issue for Britain's black communities.

In London alone 57% of innocent samples taken by the police are from people from African Caribbean communities. Disturbingly 42% of the entire black male population living in the UK, and 77% of all young black men, are profiled on the database even though the Home Office's own research shows that people from this group are less likely to commit a crime than their white counterparts.

“This is an issue that touches the lives of every black family living in the UK and has turned into an election issue for this group. People don't want to vote for a government that criminalises them when they haven't done anything wrong. Our online petition gives people the opportunity to speak out about the plans set out in the Crime and Security Bill,” said Matilda MacAttram, Director of Black Mental Health UK.

“It is still the case in law that a person is innocent until proven guilty, but proposal set out by government on the retention of innocent DNA fundamentally blurs this. We have over 20,000 church members who are implicated in this so they have a personal interest in supporting this petition,” Bishop Llewellyn Grayham of Church of God of prophesy said.

Plans to allow the police to retain innocent people’s DNA for up to eight years have also been criticized by Pastor Ade Omooba of Christian Concern for Our Nation. He said: “There is a need to speak out now, because in a few months’ time it may be too late. The decision to continue to keep innocent DNA on the criminal database will damage community cohesion and undo the good work that church has done to ensure good relations with the police. It would be unrealistic to expect any community to continue to put their trust in a government whose policies have criminalised them.”

Community activist and health campaigner Jack Maclean said that the “Stephen Laurence inquiry flagged up the corruption in the system and so those who know what is going on need to stand up and speak out.”

“The disproportionate representation of the Black community, especially young Black males, on the database is a gross injustice that we expect the government to redress, and not compound,” Olu Alake, President of 100 Black Men of London said.

Similar views have been expressed by Frederick Clarke, Director of Mighty Men of Valour, who said it “has serious implications for our future civil liberties. Retaining an innocent person’s DNA on a system used to monitor criminals for six years is unacceptable.” He told the government that this measure will damage community relations.

“Many say you have nothing to fear if you have done nothing wrong. But when parts of the justice system disproportionately targets your racial group you are no longer an innocent bystander but a potential victim," Winsome-Grace Cornish, Communications Director, Operation Black Vote said.

“I am particularly concerned the database has impacted on vulnerable mental health service users, who are not in a position to speak out about this. We need to register our concerns in the strongest possible way because this is unjust,” Alicia Spence, Services Director at the African Caribbean Community Initiative (ACCI) said.

“It’s time for people to stand up for their rights, the black community is particularly affected by government intrusion on their rights - the DNA proposals now in parliament are just not good enough, people should sign the petition and also contact their MPs,” Dr. Helen Wallace, Director of Gene Watch UK said.

Click here to go to BMH UK's 10 Downing Street Petition 

Applications open for the Creme of Nature Community Action Award

Applications are now open for the Creme of Nature Community Action Award.

The Award recognises those with great ideas and vision in African Caribbean voluntary, faith and community groups, whose primary objective is to support and encourage women. This nationwide Award is dedicated to community cohesion and social inclusion.

The Creme of Nature Community Action Award is about giving something back to the community that has supported one of the most well known brands in the hair and beauty market for the past 30 years.

The winner of this year’s Award will take home £10,000. There will also be four runners up who will receive cash awards.

Judges will choose the five Community Action Award Finalists. Then the public will be invited to vote for their preferred finalist in knock-out rounds of online voting in May. The cash prizes will be awarded as follows: Winner £10,000; 1st runner up £1,750; 2nd runner up £1,000; 3rd runner up £750; and 4th runner up £500.

It will be up to each finalist to promote their cause and get the most online votes.

If you or your organisation has a dream, now is the chance to make it a reality. Imagine what £10,000 cash could do and what it could achieve. Applications are welcome from individuals and small groups, but priority will be given to those who have an annual turnover of less than £50,000.

In 2008 the Award was presented to Be Totally You who created a Hair Training Salon in Bromley while in 2009 the Award was presented to the Shern Hall Methodist Youth Steel Band who had been waiting for over four years for a set of their own pans.

This Award is all about making a real difference. So if you are small with a big idea and just lacking funding, the Creme of Nature £10,000 Community Action Award could be just what you need to make your dreams come true and start to make a real difference to the community you serve.

Applications for the 2010 Award can be made now. Apply at www.cremeofnature.co.uk or if you have any questions call the Creme of Nature Community Action Award Team on 01264 355 846. Applications must be received by 28th February 2010.

Black African, Black Caribbean and South Asian communities urged to give blood to save lives

The National Blood Service's VIP Appeal has announced details of its New Year blood donation campaign, launching this month and running until the end of March.

Alongside a whole host of other familiar faces, including top BBC Asian music presenter and DJ Bobby Friction, former Misteeq lead singer Sabrina Washington has paired up with nine-year-old Bintou Keita, a former leukaemia sufferer and someone who knows all too well just how important blood donation is to saving lives.

Sabrina Washington decided to support the VIP Appeal and donate blood for the first time. Together Sabrina and Bintou will bring the blood donation journey to life and film an intimate one-to-one interview. Images, video footage and quotes will be used across a wide range of platforms including university activity, localised communications and online advertising.

Sabrina, who is due to launch a new single this year, says: “I decided it was important to give blood to my community as only 1% of the black community actually donates blood and until now I didn’t understand how my blood type is specific to my ethnic origin. I feel good knowing that I’m helping people like Bintou and encourage others to do the same. It was really quick and easy.”

The appeal has been launched to encourage new donors to step forward and donate blood as well as urge registered individuals to continue to give blood. Specific blood groups are more common amongst people from the African, Caribbean and South Asian communities and certain medical conditions requiring regular blood transfusions also have higher prevalence within these communities including Sickle cell Anaemia (African/Caribbean) and Thalassaemia Major (South Asian).

Patients need blood for vital treatments every day, so it is exceptionally important for new donors, who feel well and meet blood donor selection rules, to come forward now. Blood donation saves lives.

Bintou Keita was just five when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.  After two years of intensive treatment involving chemotherapy, steroids and two vital blood transfusions, which greatly reduced her recovery time, Bintou is now living a normal life and is back at school.

Bintou says of the VIP Appeal campaign: “I would like people to give blood as it could help other people like me to discover a new life. Blood donors save lives and make people feel happy and have a wonderful life. Just like Sabrina please do what it takes to change somebody's life!”

The VIP Appeal is a campaign by the National Blood Service (NBS) targeting South Asian, Black African and Black Caribbean communities to give blood and help meet the need for rare blood types within ethnic minority communities.
 
Since its launch in February 2009 the VIP Appeal has attended over 30 events across England, teamed up with designer Wale Adeyemi for an exclusive limited edition T-shirt campaign and registered over 6000 blood donors but there is still a long way to go.

For more information on the VIP Appeal visit www.blood.co.uk/vip or call 0300 123 23 23 quoting reference A05.