Last week, Labour Party Chief Sir Keir Starmer attended the Navaratri celebration in London for the first time. In an interview with Asian Voice, he said that the Hindu community is an integral part of Britain. Hinduphobia is taken extremely seriously by the Labour party, and it has absolutely no place in our society. He was joined by Navendu Mishra MP, Cllr Krupesh Hirani AM, Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Cllr Mohammad Butt, Mayor of Ealing Cllr Mohinder Midha and others. Following is our interview with His Majesty’s Opposition Leader, Sir Starmer.
Q: What is your stand on Hinduphobia?
Labour party and I take Hinduphobia extremely seriously. Hinduphobia has absolutely no place in our society anywhere and we must all fight this together. I know that many people are targeted based on their religion and there's been a rise in hate crimes in recent years. I'm so tired of our divisive politics. I am saddened by the division we have seen on the streets of Leicester and Birmingham in recent weeks. Violence and hatred are spread by extremists exploiting social media. We must all together stand firm against all attempts to spread hate. We have more that unites us than divides us. Our religion, places and symbols of worship must and will be respected. A Labour government will bring people back together and end this divisive politics.
Q: How close are your ties with the Indian community in the UK currently? Is this your first visit to a Navratri festival?
I am determined to build trust between the Labour party and the Indian community. I am personally hearing the questions and expectations of the Indian community, taking part in events like Navratri, which is a part of rebuilding Trust.
The 75th anniversary of Indian Independence, the 50th anniversary of SKLPC, Navratri, Vijaya Dashami and Diwali are providing opportunities to connect with the Indian community. I want to say thank you for the huge contribution that the Indian community has made to our country, whether it is culture, business, financial sector or NHS. You are an integral part of Britain, the past, the present and very much the future. This is my first occasion to come here to celebrate the Navratri. It’s a real honour to be here. My determination is to build Trust and that requires me to be engaged, and answer any questions put in front of me. Here the community members asked me questions and really important issues came out about representation and Indian representation in the Labour party, politics and how to encourage community people to come as candidates.
Q: What is your makeover plan to attract the Indian community and India?
India is a democratic country. I recognise that there is a very strong relationship between both governments. I want to strengthen those relationships on Economic, Cultural and Trade platforms. I can give the best example of the Labour party’s approach to the relationship we want to have with the Indian Government, the example of Tracy Brabin who has just been to India on a trade mission. That’s the sort of relationship we want to have. Strong links exist between the two countries for many years, and I not only respect them but want to strengthen them. We want to make positive relationships with the British Indian diaspora first, and second with the Indian Government.
Q: What is your stand on the Kashmir issue?
I am recognising that the Kashmir issue has to be resolved between India, Kashmir and Pakistan. Our role will be to help facilitate that peaceful resolution. That is what we are determined to do in relation to any issue. But it is very important for the Labour party to strengthen the relationship between India and the UK. We are reaching out to India. I am very clear and determined to build trust.
Q: How differently would the Labour Party have handled the current economic crisis?
We will absolutely start on focusing the basics of the community and the working people who are creating wealth in this country. Therefore, they should benefit from any growth in trigonometry in this country. I met many people from the Indian community who are deeply worried about prices going up, bills they can’t pay, and the house and mortgage situation being a real anxiety. Many businesses are affected deeply. The present government finally responded with the mini budget making the situation worse, not better. I think that it is a crisis made in Downing Street. The reason is not some international event, it wasn’t a pandemic, but it was a political decision of the government. People pay the price because the government has lost control of the economy. The solution is- to freeze energy bills but ensure that oil and gas companies that made excess profit should pay their share. This government is putting everything into borrowing which means that the taxpayers, Indian businesses and community will be paying, and the next generation will be paying it.
So, we will ensure oil and gas companies pay their share. Also, we laid a plan last week for the growth of real ambition to grow our economy everywhere across the country and to make sure that we grow it from the bottom up to the middle out. At present, the government is dealing with the economy in the sense of making the rich richer.
Q: What would the Labour party’s approach be towards tackling institutional racism in the country, especially in the NHS?
We are going to deal very strongly with any institutional racism including in the NHS. That is why we commit to legislation and government to deal with institutional racism very quickly. Any racism regarding gender and equality was dealt with very promptly in the past by the Labour party and we will be dealing in future also.
