British Member of Parliament Seema Malhotra won her seat of Feltham & Heston in 2011. She was appointed on the shadow cabinet of Ed Miliband as Shadow Minister for Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls. Following the Labour leadership challenge, she joined the Shadow Cabinet of Jeremy Corbyn as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
After the country voted out in last week’s EU referendum, Seema resigned from the shadow cabinet on 26th June among the swathe of prominent Labour resignations. Asian Voice contacted the parliamentarian for her views in an exclusive interview.
You tendered your resignation recently. What was the reason that made you take this decision?
I’m proud to have worked in Jeremy’s team to achieve what we all want to see: a fairer society and a more equally prosperous Britain. But the challenges we are now facing are growing. Britain is a divided country and Labour is a divided party.
We face a period of economic and political turmoil, the prospect of the election of a new, right-wing Tory Prime Minister and an early General Election.
In the face of these new challenges the Labour Party needs strong leadership so we can build the bridges we need across our party, be an effective opposition and rebuild confidence in Labour amongst voters. For all his qualities, I don’t believe Jeremy is that leader.
In the event Jeremy Corbyn bows down to pressure and resigns, who do you feel should lead the party? Are there any prospective candidates? Who would you back?
I have said that I believe Jeremy has taken the party as far as he can, and that we now need a fresh start. Candidates have yet to put themselves forward. Those who have been mentioned including Tom Watson and Angela Eagle amongst others are all strong contenders for reaching out across diverse areas and communities, bridging north and south, and driving forward a positive agenda of aspiration, shared prosperity and fairness.
Are you in the running for the top job?
I have ruled myself out of running for the leadership.
What do you think the next step is? What does the future hold, for you personally and for the party on the whole?
A political vacuum can compound an economic crisis. We need to now take a strong lead and move forward post-Brexit on a cross party basis with Labour having a strong voice at the table. We need to show a clear vision for Labour – our purpose and our project. We still have a vital job to do to scrutinise the Government’s record and that important work continues. In addition I am focussing on projects around how we share prosperity across the country, supporting women and entrepreneurship and the devolution challenge.
Could you provide an insight into the feelings among party members post referendum?
Most of my local members supported staying in the EU. Following the result, we recognise that we must move forward and use the opportunity to create a new relationship with the EU. There is great concern however about rising levels of racism.
As a prominent Remain campaigner what was your initial reaction to Brexit on Friday?
I was deeply disappointed and upset. Not for me, but for my constituents and my country. Unlike some I am under no illusions of the economic and social implications of what leaving the EU will have for the British economy and the life-chances of current and future generations.
But I respect the decision of the British people and now we all have a responsibility to strive to ensure the best possible negotiated exit for the British people. We should also keep open the option of a second referendum in the future on different terms should there be a demand for it.
As Shadow Chief Treasury Secretary you must have seen figures on the state of the country's economy, could you please throw some light on the economic outlook for Britain?
New analysis by the OBR will revise forecasts for growth and we await those. However earlier this week the concerns in the markets were already clear. The pound dropped to a 31 year low against the dollar. UK house builders have lost nearly 40% of their value since Brexit - £8bn has been wiped off the market capitalisation of the 4 biggest house builders. Britain has also been hit with a two notch downgrade to its sovereign credit rating.
What is your feelings about the negotiating committee that needs to be set up for actual talks to Leaving the EU? Would you consider being on the negotiating committee?
I think it is vital the negotiating committee is cross party, and that it is connected to wider voices across the country. I would consider being on the negotiating committee and one of the first things I believe we should do is look for a way in the future by which we should be in the single market with greater controls if we or other nations states wish over freedom of movement of people.
