Tariq Ali came to tea. This was following his public statement on TV that he was going to vote Liberal Democrat to oust a pro-war MP – and his advice to others to do likewise where opportunity presented itself. Towards the end of his interview he revealed that the particular pro-war MP he was voting to get out was Hornsey and Wood Green’s Barbara Roche.

So I had written to Tariq to see if there was anything to be done to deliver our joint aim.

He was absolutely charming – and wanted to be as helpful as possible in the cause.

In my student days Tariq Ali was a revolutionary hero. I was on the left of the political spectrum – but just nowhere near as cool as the International Marxist Group.

Strange how life turns out!

In the evening attended an Operation Black Vote rally. I accepted the invitation as a great enthusiast for getting people to vote (obviously) but also particularly because of my concerns about black and minority ethnic groups having a history of non-registration and non-participation.

On the news in the morning I hear that Jesse Jackson is to be speaking at the rally.

Arriving at Friends’ Meeting House (incidentally where my old school had its prize-giving day and where I sat for six years not receiving a prize – until success in my last year) there were queues in the street. The hall was absolutely packed and there was a real buzz in the air.

Ten speakers took to the podium in turn – Simon Woolley (Operation Black Vote), then a series of religious leaders from all the faiths (black and ethnic), then the activists like the 1990’s Trust, Lee Jasper and the like.

I guess out of the one or two thousand people there – there must have been about ten or so white people in the audience. I wish there had been more to hear those speeches – to hear the voices of those who suffer discrimination in our land.

What struck me most (barring one or two remarks) was the lack of bitterness and the kinship fostered between the different ethnic and religious groups.

And then came Jackson. Of course his oratorical skills are greatly heralded, but I had never heard him live before – only the soundbites of television coverage now and again.

It is impossible to describe the power that he exudes with his voice, his delivery, his charisma.

He finished his speech. He then asked the audience to remain in their seats. And he asked if there was (and you have to kind of read this in an American southern accent) anyone over the age of 18 who was not registered to vote. And no one put up their hand. Then he asked again. And one man put up his hand but refused to come down to Jesse to register there and then. Then he asked the audience to put up their hands if they were registered to vote. And most people put up their hands. Then he asked all those who had not put up their hands to come down to him and register. And a couple of people came. And then he asked again. And more came – and then more – and then more.

It really moved me. It may be the technique of the evangelist – and it’s true to say I haven’t witnessed that before. But to see one man draw so many to him and because of him feel safe to register to vote where they hadn’t before was extraordinary.

I came home with much food for thought on all I had heard and seen.