British Indians account for nearly 3% of the UK population and are estimated to contribute around 6% of national GDP. Economically, socially and culturally, the community punches well above its weight. Politically, however, it remains strikingly under-heard.
It is precisely this dismissive and complacent attitude shown by both the Conservatives and Labour towards the community that is driving voters to look beyond the country’s so-called “big” parties. The growing support for Reform UK and the Greens is neither sudden nor surprising; it is rooted in clear and longstanding frustrations.
Many within the community feel they are no longer willing to be treated as a tick-box exercise or a guaranteed vote bank. Instead, they are increasingly aligning themselves with parties they believe genuinely reflect their concerns, priorities and values, even if those parties sit at the edges of the political spectrum.
This shift is at the heart of The British Indian Census 2025 and recently, lead researchers Dr Nikita Ved MBE and Kiran Kaur Manku FRSA discussed the findings at the House of Parliament.
On the rising support for Reform UK, Dr Ved said “We understood that, if you look at the priorities broken down by subgroup, the most important issues for both this subgroup (supporting Reform) and the community in general were crime and domestic poverty. We use domestic poverty as a proxy for the cost-of-living crisis. These are the areas where Reform has been particularly vocal about their plans to address them, and this is how they have been engaging with that 13%.”
Additionally, Jasvir Sigh OBE commented, “When you look at political priorities of this subgroup, education ranks lowest among them. Only 20% of Reform supporters say education is important, compared with 51% of Green Party supporters and 61% of those who say they support none of the main parties.
“It is striking how strongly they gravitate towards the issue of crime. Yet when it comes to education, something many of us have repeatedly said has supported our community, they do not appear to show the same level of interest.”
The survey also casts light on how British Indians view the UK–India relationship. Trade and business dominate priorities (56%), followed by international institutions (45%), a clear endorsement of closer economic ties and shared global leadership, particularly in the wake of the UK–India Free Trade Agreement. Travel and visas (41%) and history and heritage (36%) underline the emotional and cultural bonds of the diaspora, while technology and AI (35%) signal an appetite for a forward-looking partnership between two innovation-driven democracies.
Seema Malhotra, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office commented on this saying, “If I briefly reflect on the top three priorities, I think it also shows that the Indian diaspora community continues to be very internationally connected and strongly focused on economic prosperity. In line with work we have discussed before, trade and business were very apparent when I visited India just a couple of weeks ago, following the Prime Minister’s visit and the trade deal. The key question there was how we operationalise it, and how we see tangible benefits; both for investment in India and for Indian investment here, as well as partnerships.
“What we do see is that, while it is not exclusive, many partnerships and opportunities are driven by Indian-led businesses, or by businesses with workforces and cultural connections where culture really does have an impact. That cultural connection brings economic benefit, alongside important social and cohesion benefits.
“One of the strongest messages from my visit was a growing ambition and a real hunger to see more benefit flow from a deal that has captured the imagination—one that neither country once thought would actually happen.”
Lord Krish Raval OBE, Chair of Labour Indians, warned against forces that seek to divide communities while speaking at the parliamentary presentation of the report. He said division has long been woven into the history of the British Indian diaspora.
Reflecting on shifting political allegiances, Raval noted that the community was once viewed as firmly Labour, then later as predominantly Conservative. This constant swing, he argued, often leads parties to take the community for granted, assuming it has nowhere else to turn.
“I think we need to be everywhere, including the smaller parties,” he said, adding that the real question is the community’s role within politics. In an era of deep polarisation, Raval suggested that British Indians could act as bridge-builders, using their collective convening power to bring people together. He highlighted the depth of talent within the community and argued it should be harnessed to foster dialogue, cohesion and constructive engagement across the political spectrum.
Warinder Juss, the Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton West, spoke movingly during the presentation about identity, belonging and contribution. “I moved from Tanzania to Wolverhampton, where I have lived ever since and now serve as MP,” he said. “When we reflect on our journeys, we often ask ourselves who we really are and what defines our identity.”
Juss described himself as British not because of where he was born, but because of what he has done. “I have lived here, studied here, worked here and contributed to this country. That is what makes someone British,” he said, noting that despite this, some still question his belonging.
He argued that economic migration should be a source of pride, not stigma. “People moved to improve their lives, support their families and contribute positively to this country,” he said. Against the backdrop of rising far-right rhetoric and recent protests, Juss stressed that many migrants were actively invited to Britain and built new lives here, only to be told they are no longer welcome.
“We have work to do as a community,” he concluded. “We must say, proudly and confidently, that we are British, while also honouring and celebrating our ancestry.”
Taken together, the findings of the British Indian Census 2025 send a powerful message. For policymakers, political parties and institutions, the evidence is now clear. The question is whether they choose to listen.
Jasvir Sigh OBE, co-founder of South Asian Heritage Month and Founding Chair of City Sikhs said, “The ultimate purpose of the British Indian Census is evidence building, promoting fairness, and encouraging good policy. British Indians are woven into every part of our national life, yet too often are overlooked due to the perceived successes of the communities compared to others. This Census begins to correct that by providing a serious, credible evidence base that policymakers, public bodies and community organisations can use with confidence. If we want a society that works for everyone, we have to start by seeing everyone clearly. This work helps us do exactly that.
“The data regarding political support is particularly enlightening. British Indian communities cannot be taken for granted by the political parties, and more has to be done to engage with their needs, starting perhaps with better and more effective representation by British Indians at all levels of the democratic system.”
Nishma Gosrani OBE, Partner at Bain & Company, said: “The data unveiled in this landmark study shows a clear shift away from traditional voting patterns in our community…This volatility sends a powerful message that British Indian political loyalties can no longer be taken for granted.
“As Britain’s largest diaspora community, nearly 1.8 million strong and contributing roughly 6% of GDP, we have become an increasingly important swing voter bloc in national politics . These findings are a wake-up call for all parties and for us as a society. In an age of polarisation, we must ensure that the British Indian community’s voice is heard and respected…”
Subhash V Thakrar OBE, FCA FRSA, Former Chairman of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, “The 1928 Institute have done a commendable job in bringing out this survey and its findings. These may prove useful when ministers and authorities need a reference point for their assertions and arguments. The survey confirms in many areas what was really already known; British Indians are well educated and successful, etc. The survey highlights some changes in that British Indians have become assertive and open about their sexual orientation and in their political affiliations.
“However, what is now important is what exactly do we do with these results. How do we want to be identified in this country: As British Asians, British Indians , British Hindus or just British. Do we belong to UK or are we still trying to show a separate identity linked to India or Africa? I feel strongly that we belong here and there is no other country in the world where we shall be the first class citizens as here in the UK. In Dubai and Africa, we shall be 2nd class citizens or residents. In the US, we shall be asked why are we entering the country. In India, if you have money to spend, you are welcome otherwise who cares! So now is the time when we must introspect and ask where we really belong and then start contributing in every aspect of the country, our country. If there is goodness in the qualities of British Indians, lets spread this goodness in the whole country. Let us be involved.”
Comedian Ahir Shah, also present at the event, addressed the audience saying,“I’m not someone who contributes with data and facts, but what I do is tell the truth through comedy. Comedy is often where you find the most truth because it’s unfiltered.
“I’m a foreigner and the reason I say I’m a foreigner is because I’m constantly reminded of it. As an actor who has worked for 30 years in the industry and received an award for outstanding contribution to drama, not much has changed. You’re still treated as a box-ticking exercise, always peripheral to any major production.
“The demonstrations outside this building not long ago were the same things I saw as a child, being told to go back to your own country, my mother being spat at, my father beaten up. It all happened again. I told my children I was being reminded that I wasn’t welcome here again. It’s a sad state of affairs, but that’s the world we’re living in right now.”
