A senior lecturer at Falmouth University has called on more people of colour to stand for local election next year - and is leading by example.

Dr Misri Dey has put herself forward to be a prospective councillor for the Labour Party in the 2021 Cornwall Council elections next May and believes it is important that people from a whole range of backgrounds are there to represent every section of the community.

She said: "We need all kinds of people to be working in local government, so that different local communities can see and know themselves to be represented by people who have multiple and different ideas and interests at heart.

"Our children need to see role models of all kinds."

She acknowledged that it was early days in the process of applications, but added: "When I look around me at the other people putting themselves forward as potential Cornwall councillors I do not see any other people of colour yet.

"I have not got the data yet, but my suspicion is that not many people of colour are coming forward. And I would really like to help change this.

"I guess I am already doing this by standing myself. But as the fantastic poet Adrienne Rich said, let's not have these elections resemble a 'dead echo chamber', where the 'only' , the one, looks for resonance and finds none."

Misri is the Women’s Representative on Labour South West Regional Executive Committee, BAME (black and Asian minority ethnic) officer for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle and in June organised a Nine Minute Kneel event at Falmouth's Kimberley Park following the death of George Floyd.

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She added: "In organising the Kimberley Park kneel for George Floyd, and engagement with Black Voices Cornwall and Cornwall Voices of Colour, at the Islamic Community Centre near Truro, at Treliske Hospital, at the university, in everyday life, I see you, people of colour in Cornwall and I am asking you to consider stepping forward and stand for the council.

"This is part of the many changes happening all over the country, and we in Cornwall can lead in being part of the solution, not the problem.

"We can create an anti-racist, open and welcoming council, in daily, monthly and yearly actions that will make a difference to all people in Cornwall.

"So this is a shout out to you, people of colour in Cornwall. Its not too late - the elections are in May and papers are still being received. I am happy to help you."

Misri is also a member of Transition Constantine, currently involved in creating a Community Growing Project for Constantine to look at sustainable co-housing options, and said she wanted to focus on issues such as genuine affordable housing, protecting public services such as banks and library hours, pollution and public transport, whilst also ending food poverty in an area known for tourism.