Asian Voice, in partnership with City Sikhs and City Hindus Network, recently hosted the first national political hustings for the Asian community. Representatives from four major parties contesting in this election faced questions about UK-India relations, healthcare, education, and issues specifically concerning the diaspora.
As the event began, Rupanjana Dutta, the Managing Editor of Asian Voice, took the stage to explain why the hustings were organised. She shared that the newsweekly’s extensive reporting on the upcoming elections revealed uncertainty about how British Asians will vote this time, according to experts and think tanks.
Rupanjana stated, “A general apathy since Covid-19, distrust, ‘voting hesitancy,’ and other factors like Palestine issues and the cost of living are driving voters to rethink their usual go-to parties. So, no party can take us for granted.” She emphasised the importance of the event, stating, “It is our chance to ask questions, make our concerns clear, and let our voices be heard.”
The panellists included:
- Felicity Buchan, representing the Conservative Party, Minister at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
- Anneliese Dodds, Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, and Chair of the Labour Party.
- Rt Hon Lord Christopher Fox, former Chief Executive of the Liberal Democrats and Lords Spokesperson (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) for the Liberal Democrats.
- Pallavi Devulapalli, Spokesperson for Health, Social Care & Public Health, and MP candidate for SW Norfolk, representing the Green Party.
The panel was moderated by Jasvir Singh CBE, co-chair of City Sikhs and co-founder of South Asian Heritage Month, and Alpesh Patel OBE, Chair of the City Hindus Network and President of the 100-year-old India League.
Winning back Indian voters
One of the biggest questions asked during the event was about the Labour party winning back the voters alienated by a perceived anti India stance. To this, Anneliese Dodds responded, stating, “We would certainly never take any group of voters for granted, regardless of where they are from. I would never claim that any particular group has been won back or otherwise; it is, after all, a secret ballot. We are working hard for everyone's votes.
“We believe it is crucial to maintain a strong connection between the UK and India, particularly given the significant diaspora within the UK, of which we are very proud. Beyond warm words, we are committed to building practical, strong relationships.
“Labour has emphasised the importance of a strategic partnership with India, which includes trade. We are keen to ensure that we establish this trade partnership in the future and are focused on making it a reality. However, we also seek cooperation in other areas, including new technologies, the environment, and security.”
On being asked if there was an anti-India sentiment within the elected representatives and officials within the Labour Party, she claimed that the party led by Keir Starmer is confident of having cleansed its ranks of any members with such extremist views. She also made a commitment that the party would work towards building a strong strategic partnership with the Narendra Modi-led Indian administration.
The moderator quickly stepped in to let her know that the public opinion was different and emphasised that “the community and the paper would be more than happy to arrange a meeting with you, along with representatives from this room and various organisations, to discuss their concerns and worries. Even if you don't enter the government, it is clear that this is an important community that feels disrespected and neglected.”
Hate crimes against Sikhs
Another important conversation stemmed from the hate crimes, especially against the Sikh community. The Sikh community has been significantly affected by hate crimes and despite some acknowledgment of Islamophobia, there's a noticeable lack of specific action against anti-Sikh hate crimes in public policy. Parents fear for their children's safety in expressing their Sikh identity. Discussing this critical issue and plans to tackle this concern Felicity expressed deep regret over the dilemma faced by Sikh families, emphasising that all forms of religious hate crime are unacceptable, including anti-Sikh hate crimes.
She mentioned the government's financial support for protecting religious institutions such as gurdwaras, mosques, and synagogues, highlighting the importance of effective action by the Metropolitan Police against extremism. Felicity assured the community of the Conservative Party’s commitment to combating religious hatred and ensuring their safety.
On being questioned why there hasn’t been more proactive action against anti-Sikh hate crimes, despite the clear visibility of Sikhs, similar to measures taken against Islamophobia, Felicity reiterated that the government condemns all forms of religious hatred and maintains a broad focus on protecting all religions.
Lord Fox, in his turn, criticised the divisive language used by the government, which he believes incites bad behaviour and contributes to societal problems. He emphasised the need for education about different religions and cultures in schools to foster understanding and respect, advocating for a more inclusive and less divisive approach.
Anneliese, on the other hand, expressed her belief that Sikh children should feel safe at school. She highlighted the need for more action against hate crimes, including a modern counter-extremism strategy and a comprehensive hate crime action plan. She advocated for better data collection around religious identity to address specific community concerns effectively and ensure public services are inclusive and responsive, stressing the importance of discussing this with relevant government bodies to improve data collection and address community-specific concerns.
Pallavi advocated for starting this education at a young age and involving schools in teaching about different cultures and religions. She opposed punitive measures, instead promoting engagement and education to remove prejudices and foster respect for all communities.
Parties spar over immigration policies
The parties also discussed their approaches to work permits and immigration issues, particularly concerning individuals coming from India to the UK. Pallavi emphasised Green Party’s support for immigration, acknowledging the significant contributions migrants make to the UK. She advocated for allowing migrants to bring their families with them, promoting a welcoming approach to global talent.
Felicity, on the other hand, highlighted the government's commitment to attracting global talent, especially in sectors like AI and pharmaceuticals. However, she noted that recent changes may reduce legal immigration by around 300,000 next year, with future caps planned. Lord Fox proposed a sectoral approach to immigration policy, arguing that different industries require tailored rules rather than a uniform approach dictated by the Home Office. He advocated for decentralising decision-making to improve efficiency and responsiveness to sector-specific needs.
Labour’s Anneliese Dodds criticised the bureaucratic delays in the immigration system, pledging to recruit 1,000 more caseworkers to expedite decisions. She emphasised the need for a comprehensive Skills and Workforce Strategy to develop skills domestically while addressing economic inactivity.
The event, that was held at the Edwardian I in Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, was attended by 150 people, saw the audience raising various questions on policies for the panellists to address. This hustings was indeed a crucial opportunity for the British Asian community, marking a pivotal moment for political engagement and accountability.
