Britain’s future Prime Minister could be of African or Caribbean heritage – and part of a new parliamentary leadership scheme being launched this Thursday.

22 aspiring Black British future leaders, who want to become MP’s will get a unique insight into the world of politics as they take part in a new ‘MPs Shadowing Scheme’. They have been matched with MPs and will be shadowing them over the coming months.

The future leaders have been paired with MPs, as they aim to follow in the footsteps of previous mentees such as MPs Helen Grant (Conservative MP and party vice-chair), Labour MP’s Marsha De Cordova and Tan Dhesi (the first turban dressed Sikh MP) and Clive Lewis (Labour’s shadow treasury minister).

All four MPs will be speaking at the launch of the the ‘MPs Shadowing Scheme’, along with the Speaker John Bercow.

Politicians that are taking part in the scheme include MPs Diane Abbott, Sam Gyimah, Helen Grant and Clive Lewis.

The talented 22 African and Caribbeans, who will be shadowing MPs, are part of a new cohort includes 38 dynamic individuals.

The latest shadowing scheme will be launched at an event at the Speakers Chambers, Parliament, on Thursday 18^th January, at 4pm.

This has been the most successful BME political mentoring scheme in Britain and, to date, 10% of all prominent BME elected politicians come from this scheme. They represent a kaleidoscope of ethnicities, faiths and political leanings.

OBV’s Director, Simon Woolley stated:

‘I am completely overwhelmed by the calibre and desire from this new intake. They show that the Black Britain has diverse talent who are keen to make a difference in politics. It explodes the myth that young BME people are not interested in politics.

‘Hundreds of talented individuals applied and it was often impossible to choose.  There is one thing that I will guarantee from this group of individuals; having  embraced a path of political leadership, you will see, a number of these young men and women sitting on the Commons green benches representing constituencies and serving their country.’