News

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is International Women's Day - a global day, celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

The day has been celebrated since 1911, and over the century thousands of women have made their mark on history.

Britain is a country in denial about the reality of race and racism. In large part most people just don’t understand nor accept the reality that racism exists and continues to blight the lives of millions of black Britons on a daily basis. White denial of racist claims by black people is now almost axiomatic. Such claims are now routinely denied almost as a matter of principle.

There is however a discreet number of issues that expose the deep fault lines of race and class in the United Kingdom.

It is a shame the Deputy leader chose to make a commendable defence of Multiculturalism the day before his parties humiliating defeat at the polls. What should have been a front page, top story issue has been relegated to almost a foot note, because of the huge bye election defeat the Liberal Democrats suffered.

Lianne de Mello was a Parliamentary Shadow on the 2010 OBV Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme.  She shadowed Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas and shares her views on governance and her  Westminster experience.

Welsh voters have voted 'Yes' in the referendum for greater law making and tax raising powers for the Welsh Assembly.  Until now the assembly formed in 1999 has still had to seek permission from the Westminster Parliament for major legislative changes it wants to enact.

Over 800,000 voters took part in the poll.  Just under two thirds of voters 63.5% voted Yes vote against 36.5% opting for the No vote.

Some of the pitfalls of the campaign will be watched by the campaigners for the UK AV referendum.

France’s Prime Minister, Francois Fillon has announced the passing of a new law banning the burka and other Islamic face coverings in public places.

The ban will become effective from next month and carries a penalty of a 150 euros (£128) fine or a public service duty as part of the punishment as an alternative.

France has also introduced penalties for forcing a person to wear a burka as part of the law, which will became effective from October.

OBV Exclusive. In a what is a fascinating interview with Black footballing icon Garth Crooks, OBV's director Simon Woolley talks to Crooks about his early days cleaning the boots of footballing legend Geoff Hurst, beating racism on the terraces, and becoming the first Black player-in the modern era- to score a goal in FA cup final.

Last night’s a by-election in the political constituency of Barnsley Central was held by Labour.  The by-election was caused by the resignation and imprisonment of the former Labout MP Eric Illsley for false accounting.