Operation Black Vote has an interesting interview with Anuja Prashar, Lib Dem Euro candidate in London, covering a whole range of issues, including her views of the future of the European Union.

Here’s a sample:

Prashar, an OBV graduate from the 2011 Parliamentary Shadowing Scheme, is rapidly making her political presence be felt. Having shadowed Baroness Ros Scott, former President of the Liberal Democrats with who she has maintained a relationship, Prashar feels she was given a unique and exceptional opportunity on OBV’s scheme and was surrounded with like-minded people.

During my time talking with her she consistently reiterated the need for our society to not simply tolerate each other’s differences, but to engage with and celebrate them. Whilst on the OBV programme, Prashar founded and implemented the organisation British United Indian Liberal Democrats also known as BUILD which is geared particularly at Members who are of Indian origin or those with an association/interest in Indian matters, who go beyond the mere ‘tolerance’ of diversity, to accept and value cultural, social and economic diversity within British society.

Her grassroots experience of politics and as a current member of the Liberal Democrats, Prashar has collaborated and having cultivated good relationships with the Chinese, Romanians, Turkish, Caribbean and African forums, to name a few and is a strong advocate for pluralism and recognising the different strengths of all people, valuing them and taking the opportunity to engage and empower them.

Synergy must occur she says. Having always had an interest in politics Prashar, born in Kenya, has spent significant amounts of time in Africa, Britain, even studying in America giving her a rare comprehensive grasp on the social workings of each society. Upon arriving in the UK more than 20 years ago, she quickly recognised the necessity that in order to be part of the solution she had to learn more and was inspired to get educated.

She says that people must realise that even down to historical discourse, we are socialised in particular perceptions about particular people or groups of people. Britain especially has looked out at the rest of the world with a very marked view. Take the Commonwealth; if we continue to sit in the past and think of it as a patronage, Britain will be “Missing the trick”, it is the time to let go of our historical legacy and collaborate, optimising their strengths and ours together.

She mentioned that economically, as many have already realised, China is well on its way to becoming a big contender, yet there is little to no engagement from the UK, but there is a similar situation with Kenya and that we have 2-5 years at most to capitalise on these economies. She believes that people such as her and others, should be utilised for their connections and networks in these countries to encourage partnership.

And you can read the full piece on the OBV site here.

* Nick Thornsby is a day editor at Lib Dem Voice.