emld annual review 2013

8/13/2019 EMLD Annual Review 2013

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Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats


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Chair: Issan Ghazni

Vice-Chairs (3):Merlene Emerson, Rabi Mar-

tins, Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

Secretary: Lester Holloway

Treasurer:Godfried Gyechie

Membership Secretary:Dr Turhan Ozen

Executive Committee:Raj Haque, Jonathan

Hunt, James Jennings, Kui MacKay, Tahir

Maher, Pash Nandhra, Graham Neale, Mari-

sha Ray, Mohammed Shafiq, Janice Turner

Honorary Vice-Presidents: Baroness MeralHussein Ece, Lord Qurban Hussain

Honorary President: Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP

Issan Ghazni

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2013

2013 HAS been a year of realgrowth for EMLD. We have seen ourmembership climb to almost 400and scored many notable successessuch as the excellent Race EqualityTaskforce report into education andemployment, and the successfulrace conference - with the SocialLiberal Forum - to launch it.

We celebrated as the Federal Con-ference unanimously approved ourmotion endorsing the report andwe also played a key role in savingimportant parts of the Equality Act.

This Annual Review contains an over-view of the achievements and success-es of EMLD in 2013. I wish to pay tributeto a wonderful executive team whoworked tirelessly to promote EMLDs

ideals inside and outside the Party.We are at the forefront of work-

ing in partnership with other SAOs,politicians, ordinary members, andthe regional and federal structures,to promote race equality and BAMEparticipation. And our meetings with

ministers tackled issues around im-migration and faith.

The need to change attitudesand culture in politics is crucial.EMLD is at the vanguard of thisprocess in the Party. We still havea long way to go, and this is a longterm project, but our destinationcan only be reached one step at atime. What we want to see is thepace of progress quickened andthe strides lengthened.

EMLD is a vital organisationwithin the Liberal Democrats. Ifwe didnt exist the Party wouldlose some legitimacy when askingfor BAME votes. On our shouldersrests the responsibility of drivingforward race equality and we carry

the hopes and aspirations of allBAME people who wish to see ourParty truly represent diverse Britain.

Organisations like EMLD shouldbe afforded the appropriate recog-nition, respect and status. We are entering an important peri-

od, not least with the 2014 Europeanelections and the 2015 General Elec-tion. There is a great opportunity toensure the selection of BAME candi-dates in target seats get elected.

I wish to personally thank the out-going executive committee andwarmly welcome the new memberswho will strengthen us further. Wehave an exciting and immensely ex-perienced team to take us forwardin 2014 / 15.


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Race equality conference

VINCE CABLE helped launch theRace Equality Taskforce report oneducation and employment at a raceconference in central London in June.

The 56-page report, with a forewordfrom Nick Clegg, followed a years workfrom a taskforce mainly composed ofEMLD members.

The well-attended conference, at

Amnesty Internationals headquarters,was organised jointly with the SocialLiberal Forum.

Cable told the conference: I found thisreport very helpful. It is really admirable.I hope the party will take it seriously. Ithink this report was good in highlight-ing some of the concrete realities. In theschools we have a five percent exclusionrate but for black African Caribbeans it

is 11 percent and for African Caribbeanboys its almost double that.

The impact of unemployment hasbeen disproportionately felt by ethnicminorities. Public sector is far ahead ofthe private sector in taking race equalityseriously so there is a differential impactfelt through that.

Other speakers included ex-CharltonAthletic player Paul Mortimer from Show

Racism the Red Card, Dr Rob Berkeleythe director of the Runnymede Trust,TUC race equality officer Wilf Sullivan,educationalist Professor Gus John andsenior police officer Leroy Logan.

Launching the taskforce report, Baron-ess Hussein Ece said: We have madehuge strides but it should not rely onluck. All too often it is still a question ofwho your parents are and where you

come from rather than what abilitiesyou have, and this is something that isstill hugely discriminatory.

Too often they come from homes whereparents are not good at navigating thesystem, perhaps their families dont havethe sharpest elbows, and face disadvan-tages because of their race.

Workshop speakers included Cllr DuwayneBrooks, Tom Brake MP, Dr Prateek Buch,

Kelly-Marie Blundell, Gareth Epps, NaomiSmith, Lester Holloway, Ruwan UduweragePerera and Janice Turner.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Rt Hon

Vince Cable MP,; Professor Gus

John, Baroness Meral Hussein Ece

and Paul Mortimer; Raj Haque

(front) in the audience; Ruwan

Uduwerage-Perera, Dr Prateek

Buch and Anuja Prashar at a work-

shop; Issan Ghazni and SLF chair

Gareth Epps.


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I HAVE traditionally taken on the task of co-ordinatingEMLDs participation at Party conferences (including someregional conferences) - ensuring EMLD has a stall and pres-ence - and organising fringe events. We endeavor to workin partnership with other affiliated organisations and hadour first joint fringe with the Lib Dem Disability Associationat the Spring conference this year.

We also co-hosted fringe debates with Friends of Tur-key, Chinese Liberal Democrats and the newly formed

BUILD (British United Indian Liberal Democrats). I led onan emergency motion against the Immigration PosterVans (unfortunately not selected) at the Autumn Confer-ence but delighted that our Race Equality motion is nowparty policy! I had the privilege of co-supervising ourvolunteer intern over the summer and continue to workwith the executive team to inform and influence partypolicy and in outreach and recruitment.

Merlene Emerson

IT HASbeen a very busy and frenetic year for the EMLDwith all our activities. We have grown our membershipand thus continued to add funds to our bank balanceallowing us spread the EMLD message .

This year I have kept busy by keeping the PPER ActDonation report up to date and I have also dealt withthe audit of the EMLD account by Lloyds and Im

happy to say that we passed.

My thanks to Baroness Meral Hussein Ece for her assis-tance in this matter.

Ive brought the EMLD Account into the 21st Centuryby now allowing for internet access allowing for fasterpayments .

Godfried Gyechie

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I HAVEenjoyed my first year as Secretary. I designed andlaunched a new website; produced a series of e-bulletins toEMLD members; and designed leaflets and new exhibition

banners.I also co-supervised our intern working at Party HQ; rep-

resented the organisation at several events and in themedia; and initiated Nick Cleggs public statement onBlack History Month.

I am currently producing a template for a new quar-terly EMLD newsletter and prioritising the servicing ofmembers. This year has seen a substantial raising of

the organisations profile inside and outside the Party.We have a highly competent team that looks set to bestrengthened further, which is immensely encouraging.

Lester Holloway

2012/13HASbeen an incredible period for EMLD with

it earning the much overdue kudos for aiding the Partyto become more inclusive. We started the year with theEastleigh byelection and culminated at the adoption ofthe Race Equality Taskforce Report, which may form abasis for the 2015 Election Manifesto.

I know that 2014/15 will prove to be challenging, butwith the assistance of the increasingly skilled EMLDmembership it will also be equally exciting as EMLD

forges a new course and becomes even more influential

within the Party.EMLDs determination to dismantle the barriers that face

BAME members of society should be internally duplicated bythe increased recruitment, retention and promotion of BAMEmembers and candidates with success being representationamongst our Parliamentarians.

Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera

IN THE last year we have seen our membership levelsreach to 400. I am pushing for even better membershiplevels as well as involving members more in our initiatives.

I have helped organise activities at conferencesincluding arranging fringes and activities at EMLD

stands. Lib Dem friends of Turkey have raised fundsto employ an intern to service EMLD and LDFoT.

I have raised funds to recruit another part time of-

ficer who will help administer the membership andrun projects that will initiate more interaction withour members and other SAOs and AOs.

I would like to have regular local reports on topicsthat will be of interest to our members.

Dr Turhan Ozen

Officer team reportback


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THE BEGINNINGof my term of office was spent helpingthe Taskforce finalise their report (see page 7). I participatedin meetings with ministers and liaised with the Social LiberalForum to organise a joint conference on race equality whichsent a strong message that the members care greatly aboutrace equality.

I helped campaign against Tory attacks on the Equality Act,lobbying our parliamentarians. I drafted EMLDs motion tofederal conference and Im now working hard to ensure it

is implemented. Ive also persuaded our race equality min-ister, Stephen Williams, to raise the plight of Choice FM withregulator Ofcom.

Finally, I would like to say it has been a great privilege for meto have worked with such an accomplished and resoluteteam of race equality campaigners. We should be immense-ly proud of changing the partys policy on race equality.

Janice Turner

MY FIRSTyear on the exec has been really inter-

esting. I have tried to listen and learn, while mycolleagues have been most supportive, explainingdetails and encouraging me to express my views.

I have tried to bring a fresh perspective to EMLD,combining my work on the executive with othergroups, as well as bringing experience of my work in

a council group.

I hope we can continue to bring a broader awarenessof disparate groups within the party.

Thanks to all my colleagues for their patience andenthusiasm.

Graham Neale

Executive Committee reportback

LAST YEARI was a new member of EMLD Executiveand over the year I was pleasantly surprised at the

commitment, passion and professionalism demon-strated by that executive. This is not the EMLD ofold that I remember!

Some very good work was done last year; in thecoming year I too hope to positively contribute to

the growing significance in the party that is EMLD.Tahir Maher

I WENT to Eastleigh to help in the byelection,spoke at conference supporting our motion, and Isaid that hardly any change has taken place in ourcommittees; same faces and chairs, and their aides.People who watch us at home have remarked that

there was a singular lack of black and brown facesthis year in Glasgow. Why?

I attended the launch of the Towards Race Equality Report- a very impressive document - recruited one new memberand sold 5 badges. I am working on the education mani-festo to bring in some of the recommendations in the di-versity report, eg the curriculum must reflect the needs of

all the pupils.Pash Nandhra

HIGHLIGHTS THISyear include Baroness Meral HusseinEce, with active support from EMLDs executive, succeed-ing in preventing the government from sweeping awaymuch of the protection against discrimination for publicsector employees. I enjoyed working with the LDDA (Lib-eral Democrat Disability Association) when we lobbiedLib Dem peers on the issue.

The second highlight was the launch of the Race

Equality Taskforce Report, which shows how muchthere remains to be done and why we laws to pro-vide protection against discrimination. Thank youto officers and the executive for providing an activeand stimulating first year back. After over a decadeaway, while a councillor in a Lib Dem-run authority,there is even more to do now and in years to come.

Marisha Ray


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EMLD @ CONFERENCE

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EMLD ENJOYED a successful Federal Conferencethis autumn with unanimous support for our motionon race equality in education and employment.

The motion endorsed the groundbreaking report bythe Race Equality Taskforce, established by Nick Clegg,and promoted the need to tackle disproportionateschool exclusions and BAME unemployment.

The motion also argued that the public sector should

ensure equality is on the agenda of businesses theyoffer contracts to (procurement).

Janice Turner expertly moved the motion, followedby fellow executive committee members Merlene Em-erson, Marisha Ray, Pash Nandhra and vice-president

Baroness Meral Hussein Ece. Honourable mentionsalso go to former executive member Anuja Prashar,Linda Jack, Gareth Epps and Kelly-Marie Blundell.

As a result the Liberal Democrats now have a moreprogressive policy on race equality in education andemployment than any other party. You can view themotion and taskforce report on our website (www.emlibdems.org.uk).

Our well-attended fringe meeting entitled Wheresthe Leadership Going on Immigration? includedcontributions from Migrants Rights director DonFlynn, Catherine Bearder MEP, Julia Onslow Colefrom Migration Matters, Lord Qurban Hussain, Nick

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TowardsRaceEquality:

aLiberalDemocrat

Approach

FirstreportoftheLiberalDemocratTaskFo

rceonRaceEquality:

RaceEqualityinEducationandEmploymen

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TOP RIGHT:Marisha Ray and Janice Turner speaking

for EMLDs conference motion.BELOW RIGHT:Baron-

esses Zahida Manzoor, Meral Hussein Ece and Lord

Qurban Hussain. RIGHT:Lord Paddy Ashdown and

Merlene Emerson at the EMLD / Chinese Lib Dem

conference banquet. LEFT: Our immigration fringe

with Sir Andrew Stunell and others.

Thornsby of Lib Dem Voice and the chair of the Partys working group onmmigration and asylum Sir Andrew Stunell. There were calls for a moreLiberal and progressive stance and condemnation of Conservative GoHome immigration poster vans.

An equally popular joint EMLD and Lib Dem Friends of Turkey fringe includedTom Brake MP, Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Baroness Meral Hussein Ece, Si-mon Hughes MP, Turkish Ambassador Ahmet nal evikz, scholar Ziya Meraland Nick Hopkinson from Chatham House.

An EMLD / Chinese Liberal Democrat fringe on the economic and culturalbenefits of twinning UK and China cities featured Duncan Hames MP, SirGraham Watson MEP and Jerry Cheung.

n addition, we hosted an over-subscribed Chinese banquet with specialguest Lord Paddy Ashdown,organised by vice-chairMerlene Emerson, andwe ran an exhibition stallstaffed by members andour then intern, Dipa Vaya.

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EMLD @ CONFERENCE


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Meeting ministers and officials

WE HAVEmet regularly with Lib Dem ministers andofficials in 2013 to promote race equality policies andBAME representation at all levels.

This includes meetings include Home Office ministerNorman Baker, equalities ministers Stephen Williams, JoSwinson and ex-ministers Sir Andrew Stunell and DonFoster. We discussed the Immigration Bill with Mr Baker

and have pushed wider race equality policy issues withother ministers.

Other issues include the Public Sector Equality Duty(which we believe has now been saved); Equality ImpactAssessments (which have also been preserved); and theGeneral Duty aspect of the Equality Act (proposals toaxe this were dropped after the Lords rebelled twice).

EMLD members have also been busy taking a motionon race equality in education and employment to this

years federal conference, championing the need to putthis policy into practice. This motion was unanimouslyapproved.

EMLD members have also met regularly with Party officialsto help fashion new ways to increase race diversity.

Vice-chair Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera has led on promotingEquality Impact Assessments within the Party throughout

2013, as well as the content of equalities training modules formembers.

We have also discussed the need for local parties touse best practice concerning community engagement,recruitment and talent-spotting at the grassroots.

Ideas for making the Diversity Engagement Groupmore effective were sent to Party president Tim Farronand several members are keen to see more support forregional Diversity Champions.

Merlene Emerson, Lester Holloway, Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera, Stephen Williams MP, James Jennings and Janice Turner


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Working Groups, committees

and consultations

EMLD HASparticipated in a number of consulta-tions and working groups in 2013. In response tothe Home Office consultation reviewing policestop and search we launched a web survey ofour members and stakeholders which informedour submission and formed a sub-group on theexecutive led by vice-chair Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera.

Cllr Uduwerage-Perera also sits on the PartysImmigration and Asylum working group and hasensured EMLD have contributed to this processas well as setting up another web survey whichhas attracted a high response rate.

Lester Holloway and Janice Turner were appoint-ed to the Partys new Equalities policy workinggroup, and Merlene Emerson sits on the AgeingSocieties policy working group.

Several EMLD members also sit on a variety ofParty bodies. Issan Ghazni sits on the Federal Exec-utive; Cllr Holloway and Jonathan Hunt are on theLondon Regional Executive; and Cllr Uduwerage-Perera is the English Party diversity champion andon the South Central Regional Executive.

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Branding and merchandise

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New website launched

EMLD WILL be launching anew website at the AGM. Thenew site (www.EMLibDems.org.uk) which is intended to beeasier to navigate and provideclearer links to our Facebookand Twitter presence.

People seeking our old site willbe automatically redirected tothe new one for the next threemonths.

The new site comes with emailaddresses. The main one is [email protected] plus person-alised emails for the ExecutiveCommittee.

We also have a new e-bulletintemplate which better reflectsour branding identity.

WE REDESIGNED ourpop-up exhibition ban-ners - which have alreadybeen displayed at federal

and regional conferences- to reflect a more consis-tent brand rec-ognition. TahirMaher organisedthe production ofnew snazzy metalbadges, whichhave been sell-ing like hot-cakes!Pick up one at theAGM for 2.50.


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Spring and regional conferences

Dr Turhan Ozen and Lester Holloway at Lon-don Region conference. INSET:EntreprenuerRoger Lynch speaks at an EMLD fringe atSpring conference in Brighton. ALSO INSET:Nick Clegg visits EMLDs stall, with the RabiMartins (second right).

WE HAVE had a presence at several Partygatherings this year including the Spring con-ference in Brighton where we ran a series offringe debates and an exhibition stall.

Entrepreneur Roger Lynch, who features in thePower List of successful BAME businesspeople,was a keynote speaker at a fringe Has Race FallenOff the Government Agenda?, in partnership withthe Lib Dem Disability Association (LDDA).

We jointly submitted an emergency mo-tion with LDDA to protect the General Dutypart of the Equality Act being axed. Althoughthis motion did not attract enough votes tobe debated, EMLD is pleased to say that our

intensive lobbying of parliamentarians (ledby Baroness Meral Hussein Ece) resulted in aGovernment U-turn.

Lester Holloway gave a speech at the springLondon Region conference in a sessionchaired by Merlene Emerson, and EMLD ranstalls at both London confer-ences this year, signing upnew members and sellingbadges!


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www.EMLibDems.org.uk [email protected]

@EMLibDems groups/ EMLibDems

emld annual review 2013

Documents