Rev Jackson rallies black voters

Reverend Jackson is a veteran political campaigner

Black voters could become a new force in British politics, American activist Jesse Jackson has said.

One in 10 voters in Britain are black and could have a "disproportionate effect", Reverend Jackson told the BBC.

Rev Jackson is in London to help motivate Britain's ethnic minority voters at a rally later.

Ethnic minority MPs and representatives from community groups will also speak at the event organised by campaign group Operation Black Vote.

Big races are often won by small margins Rev Jesse Jackson

Rev Jackson told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme the black vote nationally was 10% - and much higher in London - "so that vote has power and proper leverage. If it triggers a coalition the black vote can have a disproportionate effect."

This was partly because black voters tended to concentrate on great moral issues such as debt relief for Africa and fighting the spread of HIV/Aids, he said.

"Big races are often won with small margins," he added.

Operation Black Vote (OBV), which seeks to build a strong political voice for African, Asian, Caribbean and ethnic minorities, is also due to give details of about 70 parliamentary seats where it says ethnic minorities' votes could be decisive.

The report forms part of what OBV calls a "black manifesto".

Impact

OBV's campaign manager Ashok Viswanathan said the manifesto, due to be published in full next week, would outline issues parties must address to secure the votes of ethnic minorities.

"In key seats up and down the country, the black vote can decide who wins and who loses," Mr Viswanathan said.

Up to 70 such seats had been identified by OBV, Mr Viswanathan added, and the votes of ethnic minorities could "convincingly impact" on the outcome in 50 others.

Rev Jackson's appearance at the rally on Wednesday is part of a campaign by OBV to register more ethnic minority voters in time for the next election.

OBV's Simon Woolley said: "Reverend Jackson is a tour de force when it comes to black political mobilisation.

"A rallying call now will ensure an unprecedented level of participation by the black electorate.

"It will also serve notice on all the political parties that we demand to be listened to."