Re. the question you asked originally Pheonix on the Asian question. I suppose the correct answer to give is that as long as they are capable and appear to be the best candidate for the party I prefer, then it wouldn't make any difference.
Unfortunately, we have to be truthful here and suspect many would not see it this way ... this is not quite the Presidential elections in the U.S. after all.
Some whites would be swayed by this and not vote for him; other Asians would vote for him due to his ethnical background. Maybe they would balance each other out.
If he were put up as a Labour candidate, then with the feelings against this party at the moment, he wouldn't stand a chance. Some voters will still vote with their prejudices, rather than their heads I feel.
Mind you, there are 15 M.P's from ethnic minorities at the moment, so could well be no. 16. (Ok .. not quite right, as all could change after the next election). Good luck to him.
Him living outside the area would not affect me at all ... sometimes is good to come in and take an independent look at us.