Labour to encourage Asians to become MPs

Labour is planning to set up black and ethnic minority forums to help build talent through training and resources, and give the members more exposure.

Asian and Black Labour members are to be encouraged to become MPs under new plans. The details of the plans is expected to be disclosed at next month's Labour Party conference.

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Reportedly, the party chairman, Ian McCartney, will propose changes to party rules to allow the setting up of black and ethnic minority forums. These forums will help build talent through additional training and resources, and give the members more exposure. He said: "Labour has a far better record than any other parties on issues on ethnic minority representation... but I am determined we must do much better. I want to see black and Asian candidates not only selected for Labour but elected for Labour as MPs, councillors and throughout public life."

"Just as we have seen women's forums enhancing the role of female candidates, these new structures would allow local parties to set up their own ethnic minority forums to support members in targeted campaigning, training and increasing representation."

They would have rights to resource and send delegates to the general committee of the constituency party. Ashok Viswanathan, director of campaigns for Operation Black Vote believes such a move is crucial to nurturing talent. "This is the way to bring up candidates from the grassroots... and promote black talent." He said people like Paul Boateng, now a minister, had been encouraged in a similar way by an organisation called the Black Social Society.

The rules change has been requested by many black or ethnic minority activists. Labour is hoping the change will bring back some of its Muslim supporters.