I enjoyed my appearance on BBC London radio’s Dotun Adebayo show last Sunday, talking about the outcome of the London and local elections with fellow guests Richard Serunjogi (left), who supported Ken Livingstone, and Sylbourne Sydial (second left), a Conservative activist.
There were some excellent contributions from callers, in particular Del and Neville Williams, who I wrote about previously here. You can listen to the show on this link.
The debate focussed on what the re-election of Boris Johnson as mayor of London means for black Londoners. I made some points which I’d previously written about here, arguing that it was regrettable that BAME communities did not appear to vote for the candidate who would tackle racism and racial disadvantage. There was so much at stake that it was regrettable there was no effort to rally black Londoners behind a progressive candidate.
One caller suggested that had Lee Jasper been involved in the campaign it would have made a difference. I certainly think it would have crystalised the issues facing BAME communities and focussed the election debate at a time of disproportionate black unemployment, oppressive use of stop and search and rising deaths in custody.
Richard and Sylbourne both made excellent contributions. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience for me and I hope listeners took something from the show! Do let me know what you think!
