The Black Paper
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.
Episodes
47 episodes
David Weaver: Tired, but not tapping out
SummaryWhat 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.<...
What lies beneath: Examining the Domestic Violence Concession status
SummaryIt’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...
.jpg)
Beginning of the end: Is Starmer’s premiership over?
Write to your MPClick on this link to write to your MP about Cllr Glenn Gibbins’s death threat to Nigerians: https://theblackpaper.co.uk/write-to-mp.htmlNIGERIAN-HERITAGE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT<...
.jpg)
Numbers don't lie: Labour's African vote problem
SummaryAhead 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,...
.jpg)
Democracy for sale: what does Christopher Harborne really want?
SummaryOn this episode, we ask why Christopher Harborne, a reclusive Sheffield-born billionaire living in Thailand, has donated more than £22 million to Reform UK, accounting for two-thirds of every pound the party has ever raised...
Prince of Darkness: will Peter Mandelson dim Starmer's light?
SummaryWill Peter Mandelson be the end of Keir Starmer's premiership?In this episode, we explore how a need to contain Trump may lead to the overthrow of the current Labour administration. We also touch on Labour’s internal...
On your mandate: are we ready for African Reform Councillors?
SummaryReform has unveiled its list of Council candidates for May, and their supporters are having a meltdown! Why? Because there are Black and Brown candidates amongst them.On this episode, we explore the wisdom of migrant...
Politics is a market place: why we should never stop engaging.
Kemi Badenoch is reported to be Britain's most popular party leader. But as Reform's poll numbers wobble, we ask whether the media has quietly shifted its gaze - and whether Kemi's rise is as much a media story as a political one.On immi...
New class, same politics: Will Angela Rayner save the ILR debate?
SummaryHas Angela Rayner taken the first step in a leadership challenge - and what does it mean for our community?In this episode, we explore the changing nature of class, identity and power in modern Britain.We brea...
All about interests: President Tinubu's state visit to the UK
SummaryIn this episode of The Black Paper, we explore Reform’s tactics, the role of voter sentiment in elections, and the hypocrisy shaping politics in both the UK and Nigeria - alongside how international relations conti...
The freestyle episode: sometimes you need a break
In a slight deviation from our usual format, we take a small break from politics to talk about… well… politics.Here's the article Cheta mentioned: https://substack.com/profile/40451488-ayisha/note/c-224360945?utm_source=notes-share-actio...
Caught in the middle: how will the war in Iran affect you?
This episode explores the complex geopolitical landscape, the impact of recent Middle East conflicts, and the implications for global and local politics, including UK domestic issues and AI ethics.
Baggy Shanker MP: Why engagement matters
In this episode, we sit down with Baggy Shanker MP, Member of Parliament for Derby South.Baggy reflects on his journey into politics, the responsibility of representing a diverse constituency, and why meaningful community engagement must...
Dog whistle politics: is Britain being colonised?
Is Britain “being colonised” - or is that language part of something much bigger?In this episode, we take a deep dive into three major political storylines shaping the national conversation: Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial remarks about im...
What a week! Murder, migration, and political mayhem.
In this episode of The Black Paper, we unpack a series of pressing and interconnected issues: from the realities of gender-based violence and the need for deeper mental health awareness in our communities, to the UK’s tightening visa r...
It's giving African politics: Braverman, Burnham, and the Battle for Sudan
On this episode, we move between Sudan and the United Kingdom, examining how current affairs are nothing but echoes of a not-so-distant past.In Sudan, the ongoing crisis exposes the long shadow of colonial legacies, weak civilian institu...
The beer parlour episode: visas, defections, and AI in the police
SummaryPossibly the most chaotic episode of The Black Paper yet.We get into why UK visa applications have fallen off a cliff (and what that actually means for public services), unpack the West Midlands police chief’s AI-fue...
Too young for likes: banning social media for under-16s
SummaryIn this conversation, we focus on two major policy debates shaping everyday life in the UK: the proposed ban on social media for under-16s and the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act.We unpack what youth protection shoul...
Back like we never left: welcome to the 2026!
SummaryIn our first episode of the year, we cast our minds back to what stood out for us in 2025, and what we look forward to in 2026. We also talk Trump, language in politics, and the importance of lob...
Health matters: remember, you're not Superman!
SummaryIn our last episode of the year, we discuss various themes surrounding health, leadership, and employment, particularly focusing on the cultural attitudes towards health checks in African communities and the chall...
One week, one trouble: Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage for their political lives
SummaryWith political leaders working hard to keep a fresh wave of turmoil at bay, this episode dives into the latest Labour Together polling on Keir Starmer’s leadership and the growing spotlight on Nigel Farage....
The price of staying afloat: what the UK budget means for our community
SummaryThis episode explores the recent UK budget, its implications for African heritage communities, and the broader economic landscape. We touch on fiscal policies, tax implications, and the challenge...
The Black Paper interview: Oluomo of Derby
SummaryIn the first of our interview series, we engage in conversation with Benjamin Kuti, a Nigerian social activist popularly known as Oluomo of Derby. Oluomo tells us about his journey from Nigeria to the UK, the impo...
No country for refugees: why are people upset about Shabana Mahmood's assylum policies?
summaryIn this episode, we discuss the recent announcement by the UK government regarding immigration policy, particularly focusing on the implications for asylum seekers. We explore the political reactions to the...
