Pleased to see you've put some thinking into the pros and cons of diving into politics. Glass-ceilings may exist, but they mostly do in people's minds. As I've thought for sometime, the real test of anyone is how they go through whatever they need to, barriers or not. As you now have, so I had chosen not to ever play thje glass-ceiling card. Also, people always see the real person in the end and therefore it matters not what ethnicity or background you're from.

Politics, has a certain lure for many people. But how effective can every politician be? Sometimes, there are other ways to achieve greater things for the wider many. Just depends what your strengths are.

Carry on blogging!!

This is very reminiscent of various conversations we’ve had on the subject, although, I think you should mention that you relish your role as “king maker” more than any potential role in local party politics! It is also disingenuous to fail to mention that you run a successful consultancy that earns revenue from representing the interests of a global business clientele with UK policy makers. [You’ll note that I have not used the term ‘lobbying’ for obvious reasons].

I agree that the decision on whether to stand as an elected representative is one for you (and your family) to make personally. Just because others consider you a good candidate does not mean that you actually want the job!

However, I wondered if you would be praising our current MPs with “they’ve grasped the issues that my community faces and made effective representations on our behalf” if were talking about Women say, or Disabled People or Lesbian & Gay couples? Grass roots representation has a significant part to play in future policy-making and one where Asian communities clearly need greater voice. So the encouragement of ethnic minority candidates, the young, the disabled and those who are under-represented is essential to building a fairer society for all.

While your civic participation ambitions are indeed laudable, no amount of civic duty will achieve a fairer society for us. Asians must participate in Politics – as voters and as candidates. The role that you can play is to help define clearly the political system: the role of Parliament, the role of the House of Lords, the role of Local Councillors, Mayors and other elected politicians and identify where opportunities exist. As you have stated, let us “fund and cultivate candidates who are best placed to serve the people of our country, the United Kingdom” and hopefully our community too.

Similarly in the corporate sector no amount of “looking ahead” or even “burying one’s head in the sand” is going to change the inequality that exists at the pinnacle of our corporate and public sectors. It is no longer sufficient to merely “promote participation in the structures that exist – at every level.” Using models developed in countries like Sweden and India, we need to challenge and change the status quo for the good of us all over the favoured few.