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Stephen Lawrence's brother has hailed the historic significance of David Lammy becoming the first Black man to answer Prime Minister's Questions today. Stuart Lawrence, who campaigns for racial equality and watched PMQs from the public gallery today, said: "This is a landmark event. I can see the aspiration shared by young Black British people playing out in front of me." His older brother Stephen was murdered in a racist attack in 1993 at age 18. Mr Lammy, who took over as deputy PM after Angela Rayner resigned in September, praised other "trailblazers" that had stood at the despatch box, including veteran MP Diane Abbott , the first Black woman to take PMQs , and Kemi Badenoch , the first Black leader of any major UK political party. Black MPs hailed Mr Lammy's historic moment. Calvin Bailey, Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, said: "At a time when Opposition figures are subverting our country with dog whistle racism, this moment represents the Britain that we are proud of and will fight for." Labour MP for Brent East Dawn Butler, who made history as the first Black woman to speak as a minister from the despatch box in 2009, said: "I congratulate my colleague and friend David Lammy on his historic achievement as the first Black man to take Prime Minister’s Questions. "David is breaking barriers as Deputy Prime Minister and building on the legacy of the trailblazers who came before him. "As the first Black woman to speak at the Despatch Box as a government minister, moments like these mean so much to me. Representation matters — it’s vital for future generations to see themselves reflected at the highest levels of our politics. "This is a powerful symbol of progress, and an important reminder that keep pushing to ensure our Parliament truly reflects the diversity of the society we seek to serve." Adam Jogee, the Labour MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, said: “Representation matters. Our United Kingdom must be - and is - a place where you can succeed and thrive, and, yes, answer Prime Minister’s Questions irrespective of the colour of your skin. "I wish the Deputy Prime Minister well today and hope that he doesn’t make any parliamentary colleagues mad or angry when they see him on TV.” Ms Abbott became the first black MP to represent their party at Prime Minister's Questions in 2019, when she asked questions to Dominic Raab as the Shadow Home Secretary. The pair stepped in for Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn .
