Welcome to Operation Black Vote

Operation Black Vote began in July 1996 as a collaboration between two organisations: Charter88 (which campaigns for democratic reform) and the 1990 Trust, the only national Black generic policy research and networking organisation, which uses information technology as a primary means of communication.

Mission Statement

Operation Black Vote is the first initiative to focus exclusively on the Black democratic deficit in the UK. We believe that without a strong political voice for African, Asian, Caribbean and other ethnic minorities, the ideal of equality of opportunity - regardless of race and colour - will remain an ideal.

We recognise that building a future Britain in which African, Asian, Caribbean communitites have a voice is a long term project. There is an entrenched cynicism about politics within the Black community, especially among young people, which cannot be addressed easily , or overnight.

In addition, overcoming steoroetypical attitudes and institutional racism within the dominant cultural and political establishment will require a new willingness to communicate and co-operate from both Black and White.

Our comprehensive programme includes political education, participation and representation; our goal is for a fair, just and inclusive democracy, one that allows our creativity, energy and talent to fulfil it's potential and enhance British society.

Objectives

Operation Black Vote is a non-party political campaign, supported by a broad coalition of mainly Black organisations. Our main objectives are:

• to urge Black people to register to vote;
• to enable the Black community to claim its place in British democracy;
• to demonstrate a collective community potential that could significantly influence the outcome in many seats at the General Election;
• to confront politicians with the reality of what it means to be Black in Britain; to force them to address the inequality of opportunity faced by Black people;
• to encourage them to recognise our unique perspective and positively promote the cultural diversity of British society in the best interests of society as a whole.