Learie Constantine - Lewisham Liberal Democrats

Learie Constantine was a professional cricketer, lawyer, politician and diplomat as well as a campaigner against racial discrimination and segregation. In 1969 he became Baron Constantine and, upon taking his seat in the Lords, was the first Black person to serve in the British Parliament.

Born in Trinidad in 1901, Constantine was a keen cricketer in his youth and by his 21st birthday was playing international cricket, joining the West Indies team in 1923. In 1928 he joined a team in the Lancashire Leagues and was popular with fans throughout the 1930s.

During the War, Constantine worked for the Ministry of Labour, acting as an intermediary between workers from the Caribbean who arrived to support the war effort and the Trade Unions and factory owners who often did not want Black workers. His work earned him an MBE in 1947.

Also during the War, an incident at a London hotel sparked Constantine's first prominent activism. After being refused a room at the Imperial Hotel, Russell Square because of his colour, Constantine took legal action and won a Breach of Contract case against the hotel. Having always had an interest in law, Constantine studied to become a lawyer, eventually becoming a barrister in 1954.

Returning to Trinidad, Constantine joined the liberal-leaning People's National Movement, being elected an MP and government minister in 1956 before becoming Trinidad & Tobago's first High Commissioner to London and receiving a knighthood.

Sir Learie's most famous campaigning work came in 1963 when he was instrumental in resolving the Bristol Bus Boycott - triggered when a local bus company refused to employ Black drivers. Just a few years later, the Race Relations Acts were passed, outlawing racial discrimination.

In 1969, he received a Life Peerage, becoming Baron Constantine of Maraval in Trinidad and Nelson in Lancashire. This almost certainly makes Lord Constantine the first Black person to serve as a member of the UK Parliament. Although he had been repeatedly approached to stand as a Liberal Party candidate, he did not take a party label.

Sadly, Lord Constantine died in July 1971, having only been able to speak in the Chamber once, raising questions about how Britain's joining the European Community might affect trade with the Caribbean.