| 1981 | Founds Black Trade Unionists Solidarity Movement, becoming its development worker 1983-4
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| 1983 | Founder member of Labour Party Black Sections Movement.
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| Demands recognition of Black Sections at Labour Party Conference. | |
| Organises support for year long Miners Strike. | |
| 1982 – 4 | Supports New Jewel Movement in Grenada
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| 1985 | Equal Opportunities Officer, London Borough of Newham |
| 1985 – 87 | Elected Leader of Haringey Council, becoming first Black Leader in Europe. Attracts national attention as radically reforms council services.
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| 1985 | Broadwater Farm disturbances. Demonised in the tabloid press for his defence of alienated youth who suffered police racism.
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| 1986 | Wins increased majority at local elections, despite adverse national media coverage |
| 1987 | Elected to Parliament, with Paul Boateng, Diane Abbott, and Keith Vaz, as the first Black MPs of modern times.
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Attends State Opening in African dress.
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| Member of National Executive, Anti-Apartheid Campaign, speaking at ANC World Conference in Tanzania | |
Begins 4 year campaign for release of Tottenham Three, wrongfully convicted of murder of a policeman in Broadwater Farm disturbances.
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| 1988 | Founds Parliamentary Black Caucus, developing links with the US Congressional Black Caucus
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| Speaking visits to France, St Kitts, Dublin and Turkey | |
| 1989 | Hosts visit of 15 US Black Congress Members to UK
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Launches The Black Parliamentarian Magazine
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| Establishes Round Table Conference of Black Politicians and Academics | |
| Castigates political parties for failing to field black candidates in Vauxhall by-election |