Labour politician Gareth Thomas has been serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Harrow West since 1997.
Currently, he is the Shadow Minister for Trade on the Opposition frontbench. Between 2008 and 2010, he held the positions of Minister of State for International Development and Minister of State for Trade, Investment, and Consumer Affairs.
In an interview with Asian Voice, Gareth discusses his achievements for Harrow West, his vision for the future of the constituency, and the representation of British Asian communities as he campaigns to be re-elected.
What are your top priorities and main objectives if re-elected as the MP for Harrow West?
I always enjoy election time because of the opportunity to speak to so many people across Harrow about what’s important to them. During this campaign, many people have told me how worried they are about crime. Many people want to know why we so rarely see police officers patrolling the streets anymore. That’s why I will be stepping up my campaign for a dedicated Police Team for Harrow Town Centre and for the number of police officers serving in our borough to increase back to the levels we saw under the last Labour Government. Another priority is ensuring our schools have the resources they need. As a former teacher, and as a parent of young children, education is very important to me. Harrow schools have missed out on a staggering £32million under the Conservatives. So, I will be working hard to make sure all our young people can have the education they deserve.
Reflecting on your previous tenure as MP for Harrow West, what accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am very proud of securing the funding for a new Special Educational Needs School in Harrow. This would not have been achieved without headteachers, teachers and parents campaigning together. Harrow’s case for a new SEND school had been rejected three times by the Government, so I was delighted to lead a successful delegation of our SEND headteachers to meet the Education Secretary at the Department for Education to set out Harrow’s case. Harrow desperately needs a new SEND school and I’m delighted the money and the site have been secured.
I’m also really proud of successfully campaigning for the expansion of beds at Northwick Park Hospital; the next stage in the campaign is for a purpose built 36 bed Critical Care Unit to improve patient care. If I am re-elected and the country elects a Labour government, that will make a huge difference. Under the last Labour government, we delivered the shortest NHS waiting times and best NHS satisfaction rates in history.
Now, despite the heroic efforts of staff, our health service is struggling. People can’t get an appointment with their GP. Patients are waiting hours for ambulances to arrive. Across the country, 7.5 million people are waiting for treatment. So, if I’m re-elected, I will be working hard to make sure we build an NHS fit for the future with 40,000 more appointments each week, during evenings and weekends.
According to you, what is the importance of British Asian communities in British society? Additionally, how do you intend to connect with minority communities in Harrow West to grasp their needs and amplify their voices in Parliament?
I think British Asian communities are hugely important to British Society, contributing to our national story as well as to the economy; establishing successful businesses, creating jobs; and making a positive impact in our local communities. I have been privileged to represent a diverse constituency in Harrow. Diversity is a fundamental part of why, despite our challenges, our borough remains a great place to live.
I hope I have been responsive to what’s important to all those who call Harrow home. I set up and chair the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the British Gujaratis which has held high level meetings in Parliament with parliamentarians and experts to consider economic, health and welfare issues within the community. We have investigated, for example, what more can be done to support the teaching of the community languages, such as Gujarati, Urdu and Hindi; how we can get more direct London to Gujarat flights and we have worked with Mandirs across the UK on visa concerns.
We need a parliament and a government that reflects all the communities of our country. I am delighted to see so many Labour candidates with a range of faiths and backgrounds. If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected, I look forward to continuing to work closely with the British Asian community to rebuild our country.
How do you plan to address the rising problem of hate crime, including Islamophobia and antisemitism?
Hate crime is a growing problem driven partly by social media and fuelled by global events. The disgusting recent rise in both Islamophobia and antisemitism exposes just how real the issue of discrimination is on Britain’s streets. I know many people are targeted based on their religion and believe it is hugely important that we all stand together to ensure that there is absolutely no place in our society for prejudice, be it Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-Sikh sentiment, or Hinduphobia. We must fight it together. I want an end to our divisive politics. I want there to be a sense of partnership and collaboration through which we can address key issues, tackle discrimination and build a more inclusive, equal Britain.
Why do you think that you are the best choice for the constituency and better than your competitors?
It has been the honour of my life to represent our Harrow community in Parliament. I was brought up and have always lived in Harrow and I am now raising my young family here. We use the same public services and face the same challenges as everyone else in Harrow. Representing all those who live in my community is therefore deeply personal for me. During this campaign, I have really appreciated the endorsements I have received from community champions and that so many people have come to campaign with me and are again putting their faith in me to represent Harrow West in Parliament – it means the world to me. Together I know we can change our country for the better.
