When it comes to getting a seat at the table, this ground-breaking initiative aimed at equipping BAME individuals with the skills to stand for political office and leadership roles is a good place to start.
The Pathway to Success Leadership and Development programme, now in its second year, is seeking applications for this year’s programme. Operation Black Vote (OBV) Europe’s leading BAME political organisation alongside the House of Commons are collaborating with high profile institutions – Oxford University’s Magdalen College, Blavatnik School of Government and Lloyds Banking Group to host the week-long residential programme for BAME individuals.
With no upper age limit for applications to the scheme, participants are selected based on their proven leadership skills. The programme involves a week of intensive coaching and master classes to build confidence, know-how and familiarity with senior leadership settings around politics, governance, community, business and civic environments.
“The day in Parliament was fantastic, it was both informative and valuable. I would recommend this course to everyone interested in politics.”
Alicia Flemming, a participant of the pilot programme in 2019, said: “The day in Parliament was fantastic, it was both informative and valuable. I would recommend this course to everyone interested in politics.”
In the last election, one in 10 of the 650 MPs elected were non-white and there were no Black, Asian and minority ethnic MPs in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Perhaps this is why the House of Commons is committed to increasing the representation of BAME (Black, Asian and Ethnic-Minority) people within its workforce and in Parliament more widely.
A statement from the House of Commons reads: “We believe that Parliament should reflect the democracy it serves […] Addressing underrepresentation in senior roles within the House of Commons is one of the priority actions of our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2019-2022 and I look forward to welcoming the next generation of BAME leaders to Parliament.”
For more information about the Pathway to Success Leadership Development Programme and how to apply, visit the OBV website here.
