Black History Month 2025 Speech

“I am Black British. That is who I am, and I want you to know both of those things.”

At Centrepoint in our constituency, a conversation with one young woman stayed with me. It captured the how many of us feel about our identities.

I was proud to speak in this week’s Black History Month debate about my heritage as a British Zambian Londoner and the vital importance of teaching Black history. This helps to undo the false narratives and misunderstandings of our history and British identity that contributed to the Windrush scandal.

We must recognise that false narratives enable our enemies: those who oppose freedom, equality, and the rule of law. Teaching our history is essential to building a society where ignorance no longer fuels division or enables the far-right.