An enlarged and empowered Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats (EMLD)

12.00.00pm GMT Fri 5th Dec 2008

At a successful Special General Meeting held on 2 Dec, well attended by Lib Dem activists and councillors, EMLD has now merged with the Ethnic Minority Election Task Force (EMETF). Guest Speakers, Leader Nick Clegg, and Simon Hughes, commended the new organisation, and pledged their support on the challenges ahead. EMLD will focus on greater diversity and representation across the Party at every level. Particular emphasis will be made to get far greater BME representation for the Liberal Democrats in Parliament.

Meral Ece, Chair of EMLD said:

"We are delighted that we have the backing of the leadership of the Party to move ahead in this direction. United we will be stronger and better able to discharge the objectives that we have set to help the Party become more inclusive as well as in touch with minority communities and their needs."

Only in September this year the Liberal Democrats launched its Diversity Engagement Group (DEG), chaired by Deputy Leader Vince Cable MP. Whilst DEG works as a forum within the Party to implement equalities policies within the organisation, EMLD will carve a different role both as a sounding board to inform policy as well as to reach out to all segments of the public.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg expressed his heartfelt thanks to Rabi Martins, former Chair of EMETF as well as Meral Ece for bringing on this merged body which he believes will be "twice as effective". He also thanked Issan Ghazni, National Diversity Advisor and toasted him in his absence. He believes that as a Party we need to be a mirror of the country and have elected representatives that also reflect that rich diversity.

Out-going President of EMLD, Simon Hughes said that a new chapter had begun. He then urged all local parties and committees to be conscious of equalities issues. They should recruit widely and select candidates strategically. Just as Obama had managed to appeal to those in the US who had never voted before, we could also do the same.

"If we can capture this optimism then our acorn can grow into an oak tree that shelters the widest group of people" Simon concluded.