Kmflett's Blog

Bernie Grant b.17^th February 1944. Anti-racist, socialist, beard wearer.

Bernie Grant who was one of the great post-1945 political figures, was born 81 years ago today.

He died 25 years ago after a period as leader of Haringey Council and then Labour MP for Tottenham from 1987, one of the first four black MPs to be elected in the modern era.

There is no question that Bernie made a significant impact on Haringey politics and well beyond which continues. He was the first black leader of an authority anywhere in Europe and while the example has been far too slow to be followed it was a landmark.

His fight against racism and opposition to the Thatcher Government when he was Council leader again set a template

I was Chair of Haringey Trades Union Council throughout the period that Bernie was Council leader and MP.

I recall particularly Election meetings where in those days we would invite the Labour candidate only to speak. Bernie was an inspiring and indeed an idiosyncratic speaker. Throughout the period he was pursued by the tabloid press (fortunately it was well before social media) and particularly the S*n who labelled him ‘Barmy Bernie’. We were always on the look-out for ill-intentioned types at these kind of meetings keen to twist an off-cuff the remark.

My connections do go rather wider. His brother was a trade union colleague in telecoms (as was his partner) and like myself an anyone but England cricket fan.

We have to accept I think that political figures like Bernie Grant come along only rarely in each generation. Remembering him 81 years after his birth is important not least for the motivation it should give us to continue the fight now, in a period where his voice would be a powerful rejoinder to a political establishment that is far from keen on recognising and in particular acting on the causes he championed