Labour Party Deputy Leader Tom Watson visited Gurdwaras in his West Bromwich East
constituency today and highlighted Labour’s manifesto commitments to the Sikh community ahead
of the forthcoming general election.
Addressing the congregations at Guru Nanak Gurdwara and Guru Har Rai Gurdwara, Tom Watson confirmed the Labour Party would be pledging to establish an independent inquiry into Britain’s role in connection with the Indian military attack at Harmandir Sahib (known as the Golden Temple) in Amritsar in 1984. He also confirmed Labour would be committing to honour those Sikhs who gave their lives in serving the country in the First and Second World Wars.
Reflecting on the upcoming general election Tom Watson mentioned the Labour Party had selected six candidates from a Sikh background including in nearby constituencies in Birmingham and Telford. He expressed his hope that Labour would emulate the political landscape in Canada where there are many more Sikhs at the forefront of politics and public life
Sikh Council UK representatives Secretary General Elect Jagtar Singh and Board of Jathedars Convenor Joga Singh addressed the congregation at Guru Nanak Gurdwara and similarly Sikh Council UK Spokesperson Jagjit Singh and Chair of Indian Subcontinent Affairs Committee Gurdial Singh Atwal addressed the congregation at Guru Har Rai Gurdwara during the visits. All representatives congratulated Tom Watson on delivering on the commitments he had made to the Sikh community in respect of the 1984 disclosures and Sikh representation and welcomed his desire to further increase the number of Sikhs in the Labour Party.
