The 1987 General Election was a watershed moment in British politics, as Diane Abbott, Bernie Grant, Paul Boateng, and Keith Vaz became the first Black and Asian MPs in the modern era.
On the night of June 11, 1987, the landscape of British democracy changed forever. For the first time in the 20th century, four people from African, Caribbean, and South Asian backgrounds were elected to the House of Commons. Diane Abbott, Bernie Grant, Paul Boateng, and Keith Vaz—collectively known as the ‘Class of 87’—shattered a glass ceiling that had been in place for nearly sixty years.
The Road to Westminster
The breakthrough of 1987 did not happen in a vacuum. It was the result of years of grassroots activism within the Labour Party, particularly the work of the Labour Party Black Sections. Activists had argued that if the party wanted the votes of Black and Asian communities, it had to allow them to represent themselves at the highest levels.
The path was not easy. The candidates faced intense scrutiny from the media and, in some cases, resistance from within their own party. Bernie Grant, in particular, was a target for the tabloid press due to his outspoken leadership of Haringey Council during the 1985 Broadwater Farm riots. Despite the hostility, the four candidates ran vigorous local campaigns that resonated with their diverse constituencies.
The Four Pioneers
**Diane Abbott** (Hackney North and Stoke Newington) became the first Black woman ever elected to Parliament. A former civil servant and journalist, she became a fierce advocate for education and civil liberties.
**Bernie Grant** (Tottenham) brought the fire of local government activism to Westminster. Known for wearing a traditional Ghanaian Kente cloth to the State Opening of Parliament, he was a champion for reparations and racial justice until his death in 2000.
**Paul Boateng** (Brent South) was a civil rights lawyer who had risen to prominence defending the rights of those affected by police misconduct. He would later become the first Black Cabinet minister in 2002.
**Keith Vaz** (Leicester East) was the first MP of South Asian (specifically Goan) descent in the modern era. He focused on community relations and home affairs, serving for over 30 years.
Initial Impact and Legacy
The arrival of the four MPs was a shock to the tradition-bound culture of Westminster. They faced isolation and occasional overt racism from fellow members. However, they also provided a powerful symbolic presence for millions of Britons who had never seen themselves reflected in the halls of power.
They used their maiden speeches and early parliamentary work to highlight issues that had long been ignored: inner-city poverty, racial discrimination in the criminal justice system, and the need for better representation in public life. They also served as mentors for the next generation of Black and Asian politicians.
Beyond 1987
Today, the ‘Class of 87’ is remembered as the pioneers who made modern British politics possible. While the number of ethnic minority MPs has grown significantly in the decades since (reaching over 10% of the House of Commons in 2019), the challenges they faced remind us of the struggle it took to make Parliament look more like the country it represents. Their victory was not just for themselves, but for the very idea of a multi-racial democracy.
Key Sources and Further Reading
- Shukra, K. (1998): *The Changing Face of Electoral Politics*, Pluto Press.
- Abbott, D. (2020): *Speech in the House: The Collected Speeches of Diane Abbott*, Biteback Publishing.
- Grant, S. (2006): *Bernie Grant: A Biography*, Lawrence & Wishart.
- Adusei, K. (2017): *The 1987 Breakthrough: Black and Asian MPs*, Hansard Society.
