I am a young second generation Gujarati. My parents migrated here in the 1970's. I am writing to urge readers to vote against the Conservative party in the upcoming election.
Conservative policies tend to help rich people, not poorer people and newer immigrants... this may feel reasonable to some of us now that many Asians are wealthier and feel comfortable in the UK. However, did you realise the Conservatives are selling off the NHS to profit-making companies, who plan to charge patients for seeing the doctor, operations, medicines? Already we are seeing that healthcare quality is declining.
Many of you readers will be of my parents' age. Your generation took difficult migration journeys to be here. You dealt with separation from loved ones, cold weather, long work hours and sometimes racist behaviour, to provide a better life for your kids. Many of you experienced poverty and hardship. My generation's success is because of your hard work. As a community we also benefitted from free NHS healthcare, as well as schooling, social housing, worker's rights, disability welfare. I'm grateful for these social services too.
When you vote on 8th June, I urge you to think of future generations again. The NHS is currently the best, most efficient healthcare service in the world! All of our children, whether they are rich or not, deserve access to the same kind of healthcare and other services that you enjoyed. Please don't vote to take these important life-giving services away from them. Once the NHS is gone, it's gone forever.
As a community, we can use our votes to make a difference. Please find out which party is most likely to win against the Conservatives AND protect the NHS in your constituency. Please vote for them and encourage your friends and family to do so too.
Shilpa Shah
London
