Harrow College has welcomed a visit by campaigner Doreen Lawrence and Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Harrow East Uma Kumaran.
Over 70 students attended the talk held at the college’s Harrow Weald campus, on Wednesday 25 March.
Baroness Lawrence and Kumaran met with Harrow College students to help encourage black, Asian and minority ethnic voter participation at the upcoming General Election on Thursday 7 May.
Some of the students who attended the event included members of the Harrow College’s Student Union who, with the help of the NUS, are campaigning for their fellow students to register to vote.
During the talk, Baroness Lawrence and Kumaran discussed what the Labour party would do for young people and the importance of voting to make a difference. They also encouraged students to use their voice and have a say by making sure they registered to vote.
Kumaran also explained to students her own personal journey into politics after a career in the NHS.
Baroness Lawrence said that with the General Election fast approaching it was imperative that students registered to vote.
“Nearly 20% of British BME people are not registered to vote,” said Baroness Lawrence. “Non-registration is one of the biggest barriers to turnout on polling day. Registration procedures need to be accessible and any changes effectively communicated. This silent scandal could have a devastating impact on polling day when thousands of BME people realise they are not eligible to vote because they have not registered.”
Kumaran, a Harrow local, added: “In the last year almost one million people have fallen off the electoral register, including around 8,000 residents in Harrow. But young people must be heard, loud and clear, as do ethnic minority voices – both of which are currently massively under represented, that’s why I’m determined to do all we can to get people back on the electoral register, and casting their vote in May.”
Anca Purcaru, student union president at Harrow College, said that Baroness Lawrence and Kumaran had helped to spur her and her fellow students to take politics more seriously.
“It was a real honour meeting Baroness Lawrence today,” said Purcaru, “as I have long admired her campaigning work. Harrow College’s student Union, with the support of the NUS, has been working hard to encourage our students to vote in the upcoming General Election. We are really glad that Baroness Lawrence is also inspiring students, in particular black, Asian and ethnic minority students, to take part in the political process, too.”