Liberal Democrats launch 'New Generation' of ethnic minority candidates with reception at Cowley Street on 30 June

10.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Jun 2009

Simon Woolley of OBV at New Generation Press Launch at Cowley Street

Party Leader Nick Clegg MP and Chair of the Diversity Engagement Group, Vince Cable MP put their joint weight behind a new programme to support talented candidates of black, Asian and minority ethnic background within the Party. At the reception held for members of the press they shared their commitment to provide additional training and support to this 'New Generation'. With such support they will hopefully also have a higher profile in the media with a view to getting elected in the next few years.

No less than 40 individuals have been identified so far and the list is still open and growing. These include elected Councillors Johar Khan, Godfried Gyechie, Shas Sheehan, Allan Siao Ming Witherick and Nader Fekri, Prospective Parliamentary Candidates Farid Ahmed, Karen Hamilton, Dave Raval and Merlene Emerson as well as newer members Joseph Lee, Meekal Hashmi, Vamsi Velagapudi and Samantha Syrus-Wright.

Simon Woolley, founder of OBV was welcoming of the project and hailed this new generation as the Obama generation of politicians. However he also stressed that a breakthrough was desperately needed in the House of Commons at the next general election, where all 63 of Lib Dem MPs are currently white.

Meral Ece, Chair of EMLD said 'What we're talking about here is a sustained programme over a long period to bring about systemic change that will change the face of the Lib Dems and see BME people elected at every level.'