The Black Paper

We Are Griots and WDV
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Hosted by Ndukwe Onuoha and Cheta Nwanze, The Black Paper looks at UK politics through the lens of African heritage communities, many of whom are recent migrants.

  1. All hail the King: Is Andy Burnham "for us"?

    4 days ago

    All hail the King: Is Andy Burnham "for us"?

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Less than two years after Labour’s landslide, Keir Starmer is out. This week on The Black Paper, we go beyond the Westminster headlines to ask what really brought his government down, whether Labour’s shift on immigration achieved anything, and what lies ahead in the UK’s choppy political waters. And with Andy Burnham now set to take over as Prime Minister, we ask the question that matters most: is he really “for us”? Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context Setting 02:52 Political Landscape in the UK 05:54 Keir Starmer's Resignation and Its Implications 11:47 Analysis of Starmer's Leadership 17:59 Media Influence and Public Perception 27:09 Real Politics and International Relations 30:15 Navigating Leadership and Mandates 34:12 The State of British Politics 36:09 Cautious Optimism for Andy Burnham 39:25 The Need for Power Distribution 41:54 Immigration Policy and Political Strategy 46:26 The Role of the Migrant Community 48:38 Engagement and Political Agency 52:38 The Black Paper.mp3 Support the show

    53 min
  2. Bayo Alaba MP: Representation still matters

    23 June

    Bayo Alaba MP: Representation still matters

    Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode of The Black Paper, we sit down with Bayo Alaba, the first Labour MP to represent Southend East and Rochford, to explore his journey from growing up in East London to serving in Parliament. Bayo reflects on how being raised in one of the UK’s most diverse communities shaped his worldview, political values, and understanding of identity, class and belonging. We discuss the changing nature of Britain’s Black communities, the importance of representation in politics and media, and why understanding the nuances within African and Caribbean communities is essential for effective political engagement. The conversation also examines the Labour Party’s historic relationship with ethnic minority voters, the challenges of maintaining that trust in a changing political landscape, and what political disengagement means for communities seeking greater influence and representation. We explore immigration, social media, cultural storytelling, and the role they play in shaping public opinion and political outcomes. Looking to the future, Bayo shares his thoughts on the next generation of Black political leaders, the opportunities available to young people interested in public service, and why participation in politics remains one of the most powerful tools for creating change. This is a wide-ranging conversation about identity, representation, leadership, community power and what it means to build a more inclusive political future for Britain. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Bayo Alaba 01:58 Growing Up in East London 05:10 Political Awakening and Community Impact 08:10 Labour Party's Understanding of Black Communities 12:03 Blind Spots in Political Representation 13:07 Political Disengagement and Its Consequences 16:02 Labour Party's Current Instability 20:58 Criticism and Loyalty in Politics 27:02 Influence of Minority MPs in Labour Party 28:39 Influence of Ethnic Minorities in Politics 34:07 Cultural Representation and Storytelling 40:52 Navigating Immigration Policies 45:10 Engagement with Constituents 49:49 The Future of Representation in Politics 53:55 The Black Paper.mp3 Support the show

    54 min
  3. Pure, cold rage: Is political violence getting normalised?

    16 June

    Pure, cold rage: Is political violence getting normalised?

    Send us Fan Mail Summary In the wake of the sentencing of the killer of Henry Nowak, Nigel Farage took to the podium to do what he does best: dog-whistle politics. Only this time, his call for “pure, cold rage” incited a riot that has laid bare the communal fragility in the UK. This week, we look at two episodes of unrest, Southampton and Belfast, that share a logic: a single violent act, a social media fuse, and organised crowds looking for any excuse to start racial attacks.  We also look at the consequences of the government’s frequent U-turns on visa rules. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of Recent Events 03:01 The Fallout of Henry Novak's Murder 06:01 Political Exploitation and Racial Tensions 09:10 Belfast Unrest and Sectarian Divides 12:06 The Role of Media and Political Accountability 14:58 Concluding Thoughts on Justice and Society 21:38 Incitement and Political Opportunism 26:25 Immigration Policy and Its Consequences 32:40 The Need for Advocacy and Community Engagement 39:42 Building Inclusive Communities 43:25 The Black Paper.mp3 Support the show

    44 min

  4. 2 June

    Don't take it lying down: visa scams and prostate checks

    Send us Fan Mail Summary A landmark employment tribunal has awarded nearly £30,000 to a care worker who relocated to the UK under the post-Brexit visa scheme, only to receive zero days of work for an entire year. His case is not unusual. Thousands of workers - many from Nigeria and Zimbabwe - entered the same pipeline, paid thousands to agents, and were left stranded. We examine how many get caught up in this dilemma, and why it may not end any time soon. We also look at the UK National Screening Committee’s recommendation against the introduction of  targeted prostate cancer screening for Black men, despite Black men facing twice the risk of white men and 1 in 4 being diagnosed in their lifetime. The screening committee cited a lack of clinical trial data on Black patients. That data gap is itself a product of decades of under-recruitment of Black men in medical research. We discuss what this means in practice, the cultural barriers that already make Black men less likely to seek help, and what you can do right now without waiting for the system to catch up. Key topics Legal victory against an employer for unpaid workVisa dependency and exploitation risksLegal rights of migrant workers in the UKThe impact of systemic discrimination on healthProstate cancer risks and screening disparities for black men Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context 01:08 The Case of Shravin Sharji 12:09 The Broader Implications of Immigration and Employment 21:34 Prostate Cancer Awareness and Community Health 26:22 Political Perspectives and Party Dynamics 28:44 Prostate Health Awareness and Cultural Stigmas 31:19 Prostate Cancer Screening: Disparities and Decisions 47:42 Structural Inequalities in Health and Employment 52:43 The Black Paper.mp3 Support the show

    53 min
  5. David Weaver: Tired, but not tapping out

    26 May

    David Weaver: Tired, but not tapping out

    Send us Fan Mail Summary What happens when a community can speak eloquently about its problems, but not so much about the solutions? We explore this in the latest episode of The Black Paper, with David Weaver, Chair of Operation Black Vote. David has spent his career inside British institutions — social work, local government, Whitehall, and for the past seven years leading the organisation that has spent thirty years trying to close the Black democratic deficit. We ask him what that work has delivered, whether OBV's founding proposition still holds, and what political leverage looks like for Black communities when all the options are bad. Key topics The importance of voting and civic participationThe normalisation of racism in politicsStrategies for community engagement and leadershipThe impact of legislation on black communitiesBuilding alliances across communitiesChapters 00:00 Introduction to David Weaver and Operation Black Vote 03:06 The Mission and Impact of Operation Black Vote 06:12 Normalisation of Racism in Politics 09:00 Shifts in Black Voting Patterns 12:08 The Role of Political Parties and Community Engagement 15:13 The Importance of Jury Trials and Legal Protections 18:03 Reflections on Government Engagement with Black Communities 21:13 The Need for Active Participation in Politics 33:01 The Weight of Leadership and Fatigue 34:21 The Importance of Solutions in Activism 36:50 Building Alliances for Change 39:16 The Struggle Against Disengagement 40:11 Recognising Progress Amidst Fatigue 42:52 Community Collaboration for Political Influence 45:40 Expanding Operation Black Vote's Reach 50:52 Psychology of Civic Participation 54:00 Navigating Political Alliances 58:57 The Urgency of Political Engagement 59:40 The Normalisation of Hate and Its Impact 01:01:10 Community Engagement and Political Responsibility 01:04:20 The Role of Faith Organisations in Social Justice 01:07:14 Advice for Political Leaders on Inclusivity 01:10:09 The Importance of Multiracial Society 01:13:03 Building Bridges: Engaging the Black Community 01:15:09 Reflections on the Conversation and Future Actions 01:20:50 The Black Paper.mp3 Support the show

    1hr 21min
  6. What lies beneath: Examining the Domestic Violence Concession status

    19 May

    What lies beneath: Examining the Domestic Violence Concession status

    Send us Fan Mail Summary It’s been one year already! So, where better to start than by a quick reflection on the year so far - which didn’t last long, because Cheta decided to talk yet again about Labour’s woes!  Our discussion explored internal tensions within Labour, the strategic manoeuvring around figures like Andy Burnham, and how short-term political tactics can have long-term consequences. In the second half, the conversation shifts to a viral case within the Nigerian diaspora, using it as a lens to examine deeper structural issues. We examine the UK’s domestic violence concession, highlighting both its importance in protecting genuine victims and the growing concerns around its potential misuse. This opens up a broader discussion about vulnerabilities in the immigration system, the exploitation of legal pathways, and how isolated cases can distort public perception of entire communities. The episode also tackles the role of social media in amplifying personal conflicts, the gendered nature of public shaming, and the cultural pressures that shape how people experience and respond to relationships, abuse and accountability. A huge thank you to every single listener who has been with us over the past year. Here’s to many more together! Chapters 00:00 Anniversary Reflections 02:47 The Journey of The Black People Podcast 06:16 Political Dynamics in the UK and Nigeria 29:31 Understanding Domestic Abuse in the Immigration Context 29:34 The Ugo and Jessica Controversy 35:00 The Weaponisation of Domestic Violence Allegations 40:08 Exploring the Domestic Violence Concession 48:49 The Immigration Fraud Industry and Its Implications 55:14 The Black Paper.mp3 Support the show

    55 min
  7. Beginning of the end: Is Starmer’s premiership over?

    12 May

    Beginning of the end: Is Starmer’s premiership over?

    Send us Fan Mail Write to your MP Click on this link to write to your MP about Cllr Glenn Gibbins’s death threat to Nigerians: https://theblackpaper.co.uk/write-to-mp.html NIGERIAN-HERITAGE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT 1. Kemi Badenoch (Conservative MP for North West Essex ⁠kemi.badenoch.mp@parliament.uk⁠   2. Dame Chi Onwurah (Labour) MP for New Castle upon Tyne Central and West ⁠chi.onwurah.mp@parliament.uk⁠   3. Florence Eshalomi (Labour) MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green ⁠florence.eshalomi.mp@parliament.uk⁠   4. Kate Osamor (Labour) MP for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill ⁠kate.osamor.mp@parliament.uk⁠   5. Taiwo Owatemi (Labour) MP for Coventry North West ⁠taiwo.owatemi.mp@parliament.uk⁠   6. Bayo Alaba (Labour) MP for Southend East and Rochford ⁠bayo.alaba.mp@parliament.uk⁠   7. Helen Grant (Conservative) MP for Maidstone and Malling ⁠helen.grant.mp@parliament.uk⁠   8. Josh Babarinde (Liberal Democrat) MP for Eastbourne ⁠josh.babarinde.mp@parliament.uk⁠ Summary Following Labour’s heavy losses at the May local elections, pressure is growing on Keir Starmer, with some MPs now openly questioning his future as Prime Minister. In this episode of The Black Paper, we discuss the success of Reform during the local elections, the growing normalisation of racism in British politics, Labour’s identity crisis, and why politics is increasingly being driven by emotion and culture wars. We also reflect on what the local election results mean for representation, coalition politics, and the future of the country - while marking a year of The Black Paper! Chapters 00:00 Political Turmoil and Leadership Challenges 03:13 The Rise of Reform and Its Implications 06:04 Keir Starmer's Leadership and Political Strategy 09:06 The Impact of Local Elections on the Political Landscape 12:06 Community Dynamics and Political Representation 15:02 Reflections on Reform's Candidates and Future 18:07 The Bigger Picture: Coalition Politics and Future Prospects 26:46 Racism and Governance: A Community's Struggle 33:07 Political Silence and Community Response 35:27 The Importance of Calm in Political Turmoil 41:04 Emotional Politics and Voter Behaviour 43:16 Reflections on a Year of Podcasting 48:20 The Black Paper.mp3 Support the show

    49 min
  8. Numbers don't lie: Labour's African vote problem

    5 May

    Numbers don't lie: Labour's African vote problem

    Send us Fan Mail Summary Ahead of the 7 May local elections, we surveyed 123 African heritage voters across the UK. The findings confirmed some things we suspected, complicated a few assumptions, and threw up a few surprises. In this episode, we walk through the data: the scale of Labour's collapse in this community, the Green surge driven not by new voters but by Labour leavers, and what it will take for any party to earn this vote. It is one of the more important conversations we have had on the podcast. We hope you find it worth your time. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of the Survey 01:05 Community Voting Intentions and Community Engagement 02:18 Survey Methodology and Respondent Demographics 03:33 Political Party Trends and Voter Preferences 04:56 Key Issues: Cost of Living, Housing, and Immigration 06:36 Community Engagement and Voter Registration Insights 09:57 Age and Demographic Breakdown of Respondents 12:25 Local vs National Issues and Community Concerns 15:14 Effective Campaign Strategies and Community Outreach 18:12 Influence of Political Figures and Community Inspiration 20:51 Emotional Factors and the Power of Hope in Politics 22:17 Immigration Policies and Community Impact 25:09 Representation of Black and Ethnic Minority Politicians 27:13 Barriers to Voting and Community Disconnection 28:46 Engagement Levels and Political Awareness 30:38 Interest in Local Issues and Community Participation 33:41 Housing, Land, and Local Service Concerns 43:48 Discrimination, Racism, and Community Safety 44:48 Cost of Living Crisis and Economic Challenges 54:31 Political Strategies and Community Mobilisation 57:52 Conclusion and Call to Action Support the show

    58 min
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About

Hosted by Ndukwe Onuoha and Cheta Nwanze, The Black Paper looks at UK politics through the lens of African heritage communities, many of whom are recent migrants.

Information

  • Creator
    We Are Griots and WDV
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Black Paper
  • Show Website
    The Black Paper

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