Out Of Sight Out Of Mind

But not in this case ,because I always wonder from time to time  how Chuka is coping since his exit from British politics, and the prosperous political career that sadly eluded him due to varying factors.

I really feel sad writing this, but also happy at the same time ,as I feel  I’m highlighting a secret injustice from my perception.

Ok, where did it go wrong?

Well it went wrong, when  Chuka had the ambition of being party leader potentially the first African leader in Labour party history. There was a leadership race, and Mr Chuka Umunna threw his hat in the ring to be the sole African candidate.

This was significant because let’s face it.

I can barely count on one hand 5 top black British politicians, that could literally be the front runner for leadership of any British political party, after this bold move.

His hat was literally tossed away, and then his career took a nosedive, and what was on the forefront of the news were countless details about his personal life , which I believe should have been left private.

I always wonder do the left-wing parties take the black voters for granted.

 Frankly african politicians are in very few positions in power in the UK , compared to their  african -american counterparts.

It’s a common  knowledge that an Obama moment could never happen in Britain, and if so, not in this era.

 So why is it that the African community that are very loyal to the Labour party, and vote for them , even in the deepest snow they’re prepared to trek to vote.

For that loyalty, why would it be repaid by a senior African politician’s career being obliterated before our very own eyes.

I’m grateful for my start in the Labour party, but I don’t want to be one of the few.

 I want there to be more Africans who are in various positions of policy-making.

That’s truly how we’ll be an evolved country, when all BAME members are credibly represented in the UK.

Ok Let’s get  back to it  if your not familiar with the Mr Umunna saga.

After the disappointment rightly so from his failed candidacy, he ended up on a scavenger hunt literally looking for parties to join.

 To me, it wasn’t just for a seat.

 It was for acceptance, and a place to reclaim his former glory, that sadly eluded him.

 It’s sad, as he literally had the ingredients to be developed to be a top star, and before he really developed.

 He was just switched off, and I think most appropriate “cancelled”.

I always refer to him as a British Obama, if you’re    in a room with him your instantly captivated by him and his dapper suits.

My first encounter with him was years ago at a conference in Portcullis House.

(Why I remember that day especially.

I was wearing a skirt on a day the weather wasn’t  particularly skirt-friendly, and when I got through the ritual security check.)

I was seated with a nice middle-aged couple who came because they wanted to hear another speaker at the same event.

 I saw them from the time countlessly texting, to being half asleep, to being fully alert by the time of Chuka’s speech, and before I could talk to him everyone swarmed to him.

Tell me how many politicians have that star power.

What I also liked about him was we tend to dehumanize politicians, and think they are out of touch, but when I talked to Mr Umunna, it was like I’m talking with a mate.

He would talk with a glint in his eye about how much he loves  Nigeria, especially the hotel experience, and how he liked the chin-chin.

(A guy after my own heart I think it’s criminal to be a Nigerian, and not like chin -chin. Lol who needs digestives)

Black people at times can feel British politics produces predictable candidates.

Do we the African population have to be afraid of voicing interest in leadership, and just accept our relegation to the back of the queue, so we don’t tread on anyone’s toes?

We can’t have a double standard.

Do they think a black leader would compromise the integrity of the party, so why would we think a lefty party will be scared of an ethnic leader? It’s so sad the double standard, and adds smoke to the fire.

I won’t speak for everyone as due to my experience in the party ,a vast population of Labour top members respected Chuka ,and were willing to embrace a African candidate for leadership.

Mr Umunna was one of the people that inspired me, and gave me the extra nudge to be a politican, and for that Chuka, I will always be eternally grateful to you.

I would hope this won’t be the last we hear from you, as you truly were a rising star, and it would be a cruel injustice for a prosperous career to come to that declination.

We the Africans shouldn’t let his suffering be in vain.

 We the black community should empower ourselves, educate ourselves, and then later educate others that’s how we can get our community truly heard and recognized.

I truly hope will see Chuka one day back in politics, or a rebirth of active African participation in British politics.