Here in Britain, October continues to go from strength to strength as a time when we as a nation can highlight, remember and publicly acknowledge the history of our forebears in the wider Black community.

As MP for Tottenham, I am privileged to serve one of the most culturally diverse constituencies in Europe; we can all use the inclusive nature of events such as these as a starting point to come together as local residents and British citizens, to learn more about ourselves and each other. This year, Black History Month takes on a special significance as we move towards the Bicentenary of the Parliamentary Act to abolish the Slave Trade in 2007.

Over the course of the next year, we will commemorate the sizeable but less widely known role members of the African Diaspora have played in Britain down the centuries: from celebrated actor Ira Aldridge to nurse Mary Seacole, to Second Lieutenant Walter Tull and physician John Alcindor, right up to journalist Sir Trevor McDonald and sportsperson Dame Kelly Holmes, today.

Black History Month is a perfect opportunity for people of every age, creed, and colour to celebrate and understand the elements and events which have created the complex and diverse Black community in Britain today. As ever, I look forward with anticipation to the many and varied events I will take part in all over Britain this October, and I wish all readers the very best for Black History Month 2006.

David Lammy

MP for Tottenham and Minister for Culture