Politics: Black Sections, the First Black MPs, and the Parliamentary Black Caucus

Throughout the late 20th century, Bernie Grant and other Black politicians and political organisers, struggled to find a place in traditional British party politics. The Labour Party, perhaps their natural home, was in the 1980’s was re-shaping its stance to the centre ground against the back drop of right wing Thatcher government, within which there were overtly racist and anti-immigrant strands. Such sentiments were also to be found in some parts of the Labour Movement was not exempt from . Grant and other Black activists were faced with the question of how to ensure representative Black presence in politics. Alongside his fierce championing of his constituency community of Tottenham, perhaps the other most indelible aspect of Bernie Grant’s legacy, is that of his tireless efforts to develop a truly anti-racist, equitable and representational political movement, in which Black communities could fully participate in at all levels. As one of the first three Black individuals elected to Parliament, and with a career full of constant battles of racism, Grant understood the climate of British politics as one that was marred with systemic racism, and in urgent need of practical initiatives to support Black people in politics. Throughout his political career, Grant founded, steered, and participated in a number of important Black political initiatives and events that worked to influence the policies of the Labour Party, the British government, and international political bodies, in line with anti-racist and empowering principles. These included the Black Trades Union Solidarity Movement, Labour Party Black Sections, the Parliamentary Black Caucus, the historic election of the first three Black MPs to British Parliament in 1987, the Rainbow Coalition, and more. This section explores efforts by Grant and his peers, to build projects and networks to demand respect and recognition of Black people and communities, and their empowerment in decision making. Through his involvement in these notable projects, Grant displayed his strong sense of responsibility to hold the systems of governance to account in regards to race and diasporan issues and the need to better serve all members of society, the impact of which is still being felt today by the next generation of Black political figures .