The Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable has appointed a personal adviser to assist him in reaching out to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, and in developing policies to reduce race inequalities in the United Kingdom.
Issan Ghazni MBE will be working closely with Vince Cable to advise on how the Party can better engage with and make itself relevant to BAME communities in the UK.
Issan was the Party’s first National Diversity Adviser from 2007 to 2010 and has a wealth of experience in race and equalities policy development and training. Issan worked within HQ and across the regions to establish early infrastructure, training and priorities for tackling inequality and lack of participation by under-represented groups.
During this period, Issan conducted a review into the state of diversity within the party, set up the Diversity Engagement Group, and supported a number of cross party diversity initiatives including the implementation of Equality Impact Assessments and established regional diversity champions and regional training programmes. He has been asked to spearhead the delivery of the Leader’s Task Force to identify impact of and attitudes of BAME communities towards Brexit.
Liberal Democrat Leader Vince Cable said: “Issan worked with me as the Party’s first National Diversity Adviser, and subsequently when I chaired the Lib Dems’ Diversity Engagement Group.
“I’m delighted he is offering his advice to me, as we help the Liberal Democrats fill the enormous space in the centre of British politics. Key to this ambition is to do better among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, and Issan I know will help the party to do so.
“I raised a multi-ethnic family in the United Kingdom, so I know the subtle – and sometimes, not so subtle – barriers which exist. We must tear them down.
“I want to get out all round the country, addressing groups from every faith and ethnic background, to ensure the Lib Dem message of hope for the United Kingdom, with an exit from Brexit and a strong economy, is heard.”
Issan Ghazni said, “Vince Cable’s leadership offers a huge opportunity to the Liberal Democrats to highlight the continuing race inequalities which exist in the United Kingdom and to offer solutions. It is important for the leadership to get the strong Lib Dem message of equality, fairness and social justice out to BAME communities at a time when inequalities and racism are still rife in our society.
“Having previously worked closely with Vince Cable, I am fully aware of his strong personal conviction towards eliminating discrimination and inequality and appreciate his genuine commitment to promoting race equality and community engagement.
“I will be working first on the dangers of Brexit for BAME communities, as only the Lib Dems offer an exit from Brexit. Labour have abandoned their post as the hope of a progressive alternative in this country, starting the rot with Blairism, through the war in Iraq and now with Corbyn’s pro-Brexit stance.
“I look forward to working with Vince to improve the Lib Dems’ electoral standing in ethnic minority communities.”
