John xxxxxx, are your friends and family all registered to vote?

Because when I first entered an all-White Parliament in the historic election of 1987, alongside Bernie Grant, Paul Boateng and Keith Vaz, this was how we won.

This Black History Month I look proudly back at our achievement, the result of a decade of African-Caribbean and Asian members organising in communities, in Trade Unions and in the Labour Party Black Sections. And today I look proudly at our Labour movement in all its diversity, and the supporters of all backgrounds who believe that ordinary people need a real say in how their country is run.

We know that for people to have a voice, we have to make sure they can vote.

As Labour supporters we know now, as we knew then, that to help our communities, we need to fight for their voice in Parliament. In '87 we reached out to everyone we knew, signed them up to vote, and turned them out at elections. John xxxxxx, we have to do it again. That's why I'm reaching out to you now.

With the stakes this high, we need to make sure everyone we know is able to vote. Can you spare just two minutes today?

Back then, our movement fought against the racist SUS laws, which saw BAME people routinely stopped and searched based on 'suspicion' not evidence. We protested racist restrictions on immigration and fought against the fascist National Front. Today, these same policies are still being peddled by the Tories.

No matter who we are, we've chosen to be part of an incredible movement that stands shoulder to shoulder to fight against these policies and for a better future for all.

But John xxxxxx, if like me you're from an ethnic minority background I want to speak to you personally now.

We know that these people do not represent the needs or reflect the realities of our communities. To combat these policies, we need to get organised – now. History shows us our voices will only be heard when we come together.

So I'm proud that Labour is consulting our BAME members to help write our manifesto. To do that, we've developed the Race and Faith consultation for our members to make suggestions ahead of the coming General Election. John xxxxxx, will you fill it in?

32 years ago, I walked into Parliament. This month, I was the first Black MP to stand at the despatch box to deliver PMQs. I look forward to being the first of many to do so – together, the future is ours to make. This child of the Windrush generation is so proud to be part of a Labour movement led by Jeremy Corbyn that is pushing forward a progressive agenda to put power and wealth in the hands of the many.

In solidarity,

Diane Abbott MP

Shadow Home Secretary

With a General Election on the horizon, we need to make sure everyone we know is ready for the fight ahead.