A PANEL discussion on Organising for Racial Justice at the TUC Black Workers’ Conference in London on Saturday said it was time to prioritise the campaign for reparations for slavery and colonialism.

Leading the discussion Unison’s Gloria Mills, chair of the TUC race relations committee, said: “Our milestones for racial justice have been at the price of the lives of black people.

“Black self-organisation is the key to progress and to leverage the power for change. Nothing about us without us!”

Labour MP for Norwich South Clive Lewis, said: “I use the term heritage rather than race where I can.

“I think the term race should be consigned to the dustbin of history.

“We need to be class aware. If you look at the Tory frontbench race is not the defining issue. It’s about class!”

Mr Lewis told the conference that he was working with fellow Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy to push forward the campaign for reparations for slavery and colonialism.

“I think this is one of the most important campaigns we can be involved in right now.

“The debt must be repaid. We must be paid what we are due.”

And Wales TUC general secretary Shavanah Taj said the movement needed to start “organising for black power.

“We don’t see the numbers of black people around the tables in our unions where decisions are made.

“Nothing is going to change unless we have the right people at the table.”

Ms Taj added: “When black people get together we never just fight for ourselves. We fight for everyone.”

Dr Wanda Wyporska, the chief executive officer of the newly established Black Equity Organisation, said: “Whatever we do we must centre self-care.

“We can’t fight on empty but unfortunately far too many of us are trying to do just that.”