Stuart Lawrence, the brother of Stephen Lawrence, has praised the historic moment when David Lammy, the first Black man, took part in Prime Minister’s Questions today. Stuart, an advocate for racial equality, watched the session from the public gallery and described it as a significant event, highlighting the shared aspirations of young Black people in the UK.
David Lammy, who assumed the role of Deputy Prime Minister following Angela Rayner’s resignation, acknowledged the trailblazers who paved the way for him, such as veteran MP Diane Abbott and Kemi Badenoch, the first Black leader of a major UK political party.
Various Black MPs commended Lammy’s achievement. Labour MP Calvin Bailey emphasized the importance of this moment in showcasing the positive aspects of Britain and the ongoing fight against racism. Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent East, celebrated Lammy’s milestone as the first Black man to participate in Prime Minister’s Questions, acknowledging the significance of representation in politics for future generations.
Adam Jogee, Labour MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, stressed the importance of representation in Parliament and expressed well wishes for Lammy, hoping for a smooth session without causing any disagreements among colleagues.
In a similar milestone, Diane Abbott made history in 2019 as the first Black MP to represent her party at Prime Minister’s Questions, when she directed questions to Dominic Raab in place of Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn.