British Pakistanis and British Bangladeshis continued to vote overwhelmingly in favour of the Labour party in the 7 May general election. A substantial number of British Indians persisted in doing so, as well. Therefore, in a situation in which Ed Miliband has resigned as Labour leader, who becomes his successor and what ideological course the party takes should be of interest to South Asians.
David Miliband, elder brother of Ed, now working in New York, criticised his brother's leadership, saying he failed to do enough to woo the middle classes and voters "did not want what was being offered".
But he ruled himself out of running for the Labour leadership and refused to be drawn on who he believed was best to take over from his brother.
In an interview to BBC, he said: “Both in 2010 and in 2015 Gordon (Brown) and then Ed allowed themselves to be portrayed as moving backwards from the principles aspirations and inclusion that are at the absolute heart of any successful, progressive, political project."
Andy Burnham has considerable government and frontbench experience. He served as health secretary under Brown, but lost to Ed, going on to hold the shadow health brief under his leadership. A section of trade unions may support him. He said he would "make some calls" on that.
Chuka Umunna was first elected to Parliament in 2010 and appointed shadow business secretary the following year. He is ambitious and is said to be ringing round MPs to sound out possible support. But at 36, is he too young?
Yvette Cooper was talked about as leader material even five years ago. As shadow home secretary for the past four years, she has often outflanked Home Secretary Theresa May in the Commons. She did not stand to succeed Brown as her husband Ed Balls was in running. But with the latter out of parliament and therefore unqualified to contest, she could well make her move.
Tristram Hunt is another who may throw his hat into the ring. As shadow education secretary, he performed capably on the coalition's education policies in England.
The question is: which of these contenders has a good understanding of the South Asian community? Also, what is their grasp of foreign of affairs? Certainly Labour has some distance to cover to regain the confidence of the Indian government.
