Constitution

This constitution is a working draft currently.

We, the undersigned UK Parliamentarians, hereby establish the Parliamentary Black Caucus in the United Kingdom Parliament.

A cross-party gathering of African-Caribbean politicians working towards the advancement of a fair society for everyone.

Recognising the historical significance of this formation, we commit ourselves to advancing the rights and interests of African-Caribbean and minoritised communities, addressing issues of racial equality, and promoting strong, effective, and inclusive representation within Parliament.

1.     Name and Formation

·         The name of this body shall be the Parliamentary Black Caucus.

·         The Caucus shall consist of Members of Parliament who are Black and from other minoritised backgrounds, working together for fairness and  to promote the interests and rights of Black and minoritised communities within the United Kingdom.

2.     Purpose

·         To build a fair and equitable society where Black people, and therefore all people, are free from harm and empowered.

·         To face global challenges with global solidarity and work together with active accomplices to build a fairer world for us all, beginning with challenging racism and discrimination at home.

·         Advocate for policies that address the specific challenges faced by Black and minoritised communities in the UK.

·         Ensure that issues of racial equality, justice, and the eradication of institutional racism are addressed within parliamentary discourse and policy.

·        Provide a united platform for Black and other minoritised Members of Parliament to collaborate across party lines to effect positive change for the communities they represent.

·         Work towards the continued dismantling of racial inequalities.

·         Honour and build upon the legacy of previous Parliamentary Caucus members who have contributed to this cause.

• And to work with the US Congressional Black Caucus and other caucuses globally.

3.      Membership

·         Membership of the Caucus shall be open to all Black and minoritised Members of Parliament serving in the House of Commons and House of Lords.

·         Membership is voluntary and shall remain open to any Member of Parliament who wishes to join in support of the Caucus’ aims and objectives.

·         Members shall act in good faith and represent the interests of Black and other minoritised communities in accordance with the values and goals outlined in this Constitution.

4.     Principles of Operation

·         The Caucus shall operate in a cross-party manner, transcending political affiliations, in order to effectively address the issues that disproportionately affect African-Caribbean and minoritised communities.

·         The Caucus will aim to work to empower and support Black and other minoritised councillors, mayors, politicians & our active accomplices to pursue fairer policies & build fairer societies for us all.

·         The Caucus shall engage in constructive dialogue, cooperation, and coordination with other parliamentary groups, stakeholders, and organisations working toward racial justice and equality.

·         The Caucus shall be transparent in its activities, ensuring regular updates about its efforts and progress.

5.     Focus Areas

·         Institutional racism and discrimination, both within Parliament and throughout the broader society.

·         Inequalities that disproportionately impact Black and minoritised communities in all areas.

·         Racial disparities in wealth, social mobility, and access to opportunities.

·         Promotion of cultural diversity, inclusivity, and the representation of Black and minoritised communities within all sectors of society.

6.     Structure and Governance

·         The Caucus shall meet regularly, at least once every quarter, to discuss progress, new challenges, and strategies for advocacy.

·         The Founding Chair shall serve an initial term of two years; after which The Caucus shall elect a Chair to serve a term of two years at a time.

·         The Caucus shall elect two Vice-Chairpersons from among its members to serve a term of two years. Along with the Chair, these officers will be responsible for leading meetings, liaising with stakeholders, and representing the Caucus publicly.

7.     Final Provisions

·         This Constitution shall be ratified by the founding members of the Parliamentary Black Caucus and shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

·         Any amendments to this Constitution after ratification may be proposed by any member of the Caucus and shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority vote of the members.

Signed: Members of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, United Kingdom Parliament, in the year 2025.