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Plans to boost black Lib Dem MPs Plans to boost black Lib Dem MPs
(1 day later)
Plans to recruit more black and Asian Liberal Democrat members are being considered by the party.Plans to recruit more black and Asian Liberal Democrat members are being considered by the party.
Operation Black Vote (OBV), which campaigns to boost ethnic minority representation in politics, has presented proposals to the Lib Dems.Operation Black Vote (OBV), which campaigns to boost ethnic minority representation in politics, has presented proposals to the Lib Dems.
They say to attract more talent, the party must recruit from community centres, churches, and on the street.They say to attract more talent, the party must recruit from community centres, churches, and on the street.
The Lib Dems say action is needed because all of the party's 63 MPs are white and only nine are women.The Lib Dems say action is needed because all of the party's 63 MPs are white and only nine are women.
The party's only ethnic minority MP in the last parliament, Parmjit Singh Gill, was defeated at the general election.The party's only ethnic minority MP in the last parliament, Parmjit Singh Gill, was defeated at the general election.
I want to encourage people who have not previously engaged in politics - join us, get selected and get elected Sir Menzies Campbell
The party says it is "deadly serious" about making changes and making sure it reflects British society.The party says it is "deadly serious" about making changes and making sure it reflects British society.
On Thursday, Sir Menzies Campbell hosted a reception for people from ethnic minority communities, to try to get them more involved with the Lib Dems.
Earlier he said: "Since being elected as Liberal Democrat leader, I have made a personal commitment to making my party more representative of the communities we serve.
"I want to encourage people who have not previously engaged in politics - join us, get selected and get elected."
Head of OBV Simon Woolley said the group was working with the Lib Dems to "help build an effective platform to gain more black and minority members".
He said they also wanted more black and Asian MPs and more confidence among minority communities to vote for them.
The party leadership is considering OBV's proposals - which say new members need to be nurtured, either in paid roles or in winnable Commons seats.The party leadership is considering OBV's proposals - which say new members need to be nurtured, either in paid roles or in winnable Commons seats.
The Lib Dems are also promoting a new fund which offers cash incentives to local parties selecting either women or ethnic minorities as candidates.The Lib Dems are also promoting a new fund which offers cash incentives to local parties selecting either women or ethnic minorities as candidates.
But some local party members are reported to be uncomfortable with what they see as positive discrimination.But some local party members are reported to be uncomfortable with what they see as positive discrimination.