A New Year Message from David Weaver; Chair of Operation Black Vote (OBV)

January 6, 2025
5
 Min Read

As we welcome 2025, I extend my best wishes for a Happy New Year.

This is a time to reflect on the past year - its challenges, lessons, and triumphs - and renew our commitment to building a more just, equitable, and anti-racist society.

Over the past year, the political, social, and economic climate has underscored the urgency of addressing race equality and human rights. The race riots and subsequent outpouring of racism exposed deep divisions and heightened tensions. Trust in politics continues to decline, and for the UK’s African, Asian and Caribbean communities’, confidence has eroded to even more alarming levels. This stark reality reinforces why a central key pillar of OBV is Asian, African and Caribbean communities working together.

This erosion of trust is mirrored by the rise of independents and alliances in electoral politics. At OBV, we’ve seen growing interest among Black and Asian people in these routes as more immediate and meaningful ways to drive change, especially at local levels.

The General Election campaign was a major focus for OBV. We travelled the country, urging communities to register and vote while holding political parties accountable for the despair felt by many. The Black vote cannot and must not be taken for granted.

Our voter registration campaign laid bare the inequalities that persist - from disparities in health and social care to systemic discrimination in employment. Research shows rising unemployment and poverty, particularly among Black and Muslim communities.

Policing remains a pressing concern. Baroness Casey’s report exposed institutional racism, demanding urgent reform. Housing and homelessness, the cost-of-living crisis, and poverty continue to disproportionately affect Black people. Climate change further compounds inequalities, harming health outcomes in areas where many Black communities live, both in the UK and their countries of heritage. OBV will prioritise systemic solutions to address these challenges.

The Windrush scandal remains a stain on our national conscience. OBV will work with partners to ensure the government delivers real justice - beyond rhetoric - providing reparations and meaningful support for those affected. This mirrors
responses to other scandals, such as the Post Office crisis and Hillsborough disaster. Justice must be more than words; it demands action.

Our UK tour consistently highlighted issues relating to increasing Islamophobia and associated with this, discrimination against Asian communities in general, institutional racism, and ‘anti-Black’ racism, calls for stronger self-reliance strategies while continuing to hold institutions accountable. These themes were echoed during our voter registration campaign, where frustration over political marginalisation was voiced repeatedly.

Looking ahead, OBV will ensure stronger regional links and partnerships building deeper partnerships with local organisations. Political education and engagement remain central to our mission as we tackle the Black democratic deficit. Our civic leadership programmes have proven that engagement leads to change. Countless examples show how local people and organisations have influenced decisions and transformed their communities. These programmes will expand, cultivating ethical leaders across parliament, local government, the NHS, schools, and the magistracy.

Representation matters, but it must be matched with ethical leadership that delivers real change. OBV will stay non-partisan while ensuring representation at senior levels translates into meaningful outcomes for our communities. Youth engagement is critical. OBV will empower young people not just as participants but as leaders, embedding them in our governance structures to keep our work aligned with the vision of our founders - a fairer, more just society.

We must remain inclusive. White allies have a vital role to play in dismantling racism. The UK cannot prosper economically, politically, or socially while ignoring racial injustice. OBV will continue to work with political parties, industry leaders, public
services, and voluntary organisations - partnering where possible but holding them accountable when necessary. OBV’s work also embraces international dimensions.

I attended the Congressional Black Caucus conference in the U.S. ahead of the recent presidential elections. This strengthened ties that will prove vital as we confront global challenges.

Donald Trump’s return to the presidency will herald the need for different approaches in dealing with human rights and racism. The increasing electoral influence and emergence of far-right movements across Europe, and the funding of them by big political / rich figures signal troubling times ahead. We cannot afford to be complacent.

Black-led organisations must continue strengthening collaborative efforts to amplify impact. Registering to vote and using that vote strategically remains central to OBV’s mission. Politicians respect power. Our ability to elect or remove them must never be underestimated.

In looking back at 2024, it would be remiss of me not to give a ‘shout out’ to the OBV staff and the Board. Their resilience, hard work and commitment to OBV’s vision and mission has been truly inspiring. And this within the context of us experiencing the passing of two key colleagues – Audrey Adams and Yvonne Witter within the space of a year.

Audrey passed away in February. A Board member and co-founder of OBV, her presence is missed not just by OBV but also by the race equality movement as a whole, who witnessed her remarkable human rights leadership alongside her husband Richard following the racist murder of their son, Rolan, in 1997. Yvonne, our former interim chief executive died in December 2023. Her contribution paved the way for important developments that took place in 2024.

May Audrey and Yvonne continue to rest in beautiful peace.

As we step into 2025, let us seize the opportunities before us.

With determination, solidarity and a shared sense of purpose we will advance in a purposeful way, our journey towards a just, equitable and truly anti-racist society.

David Weaver, Chair - Operation Black Vote