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There is a black voice
• I WAS surprised to read that ex-mayor Michael Boye-Anawomah was under the impression that there are no black councillors on Islington Council, particularly from an African background (Ex-mayor presses for Afro-Caribbean Group, October 5).
I was elected in 2006, as councillor for Hillrise ward, and consider myself black, coming from an African family. My father is from Nigeria.
Many black and other minority ethnic young people struggle to find positive role models in our communities, and I entirely agree with Michael that we need more people from diverse backgrounds to get involved in public life.
I also agree with him that many black people, particularly young people, do not think that the Labour Party represents their views or aspirations. This is a responsibility that all political parties must take seriously.
He may also be correct in calling for a new group to tackle crime and youth unemployment, although I think we’d all want to look into this more carefully to ensure it wouldn’t duplicate work already taking place.
I am pleased that the Liberal Democrat group on Islington Council does take this challenge seriously, and we have Asian, black, Polish and Turkish councillors.
Of course, we need more councillors who are reflective of the population, and I hope more young black people will endeavour to join me at future local elections in standing for office.
CLLR JULIA WILLIAMS
Lib Dem, Hillrise ward
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