INDIAN DIPLOMAT ATTENDS GROUP RELAUNCH AT PARTY CONFERENCE

THE Labour party has reached out to the Indian diaspora as a key demographic in its pursuit to win the next general election, expected in roughly two years’ time.

During a special India-focused event on the sidelines of the party’s annual conference in Liverpool last week, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer formally relaunched the recently revived Labour Convention of Indian Organisations (LCIO) and hailed its mission of strengthening India-UK relations.

“I welcome the re-establishment of the Labour Convention of Indian Organisations. The timing is poignant as people across the world celebrate 75 years of Indian independence,” Starmer said in a statement. “I’m proud of Labour’s work with the Indian diaspora in the UK, particularly in strengthening ties between the UK and India.

“British Indians make an enormous contribution to our economy, culture, and politics. I welcome working with the LCIO on our mission to form the next Labour government,” he said.

The move is seen as a turning point in the diaspora’s engagement with the party which, under former leader Jeremy Corbyn, saw controversial resolutions passed on Kashmir at the party’s annual conference in recent years.

In contrast, Sujit Ghosh, India’s deputy high commissioner to the UK, attended this year’s conference and the LCIO relaunch.

“We welcome the initiative and look forward to working closely with LCIO to further India-UK ties,” the Indian High Commission in London tweeted after the event.

Speakers at the event, chaired by MP Navendu Mishra, included veteran MP Virendra Sharma and party colleagues Barry Gardiner and Paula Barker.

“I’ve visited India a number of times and was really impressed by the organisation of women’s groups and how they are tackling the climate crisis,” said Angela Rayner, the deputy leader of the Labour party, who also spoke about the Indian diaspora’s enriching influence on the UK.

She also referred to the “amazing nurses from Kerala” employed in the NHS.

Other speakers at the event included LCIO’s steering committee members including Neena Gill, Krish Raval, Dr Nikita Ved and Gurinder Singh Josan.

The LCIO announced its relaunch on the 75th anniversary of India’s independence on August 15. Its stated aim is to “close the gap” between British Indians and Labour; foster growth for both countries through a trade agreement; deepen cultural and educational ties between Britain and India; and engage with India as a “partner and critical friend”.

The organisation, which traces its roots to India’s freedom struggle, said it hoped to connect British Indians to Labour and to engage the south Asian nation on climate crisis and sustainable development.

The outreach towards the Indian diaspora comes at a time when the Labour under Sir Keir is enjoying a bounce in its popularity.

YouGov said a voting intentions survey of 1,712 adults carried out last Wednesday (28) and Thursday (29) put Labour on 54 per cent compared to the Tories’ 21 per cent.

The margin is the biggest ever for Labour since the heyday of its former leader and prime minister Tony Blair in the late 1990s.

When the same question was asked the week prior, 45 per cent said they would vote for Labour and 28 per cent for the Conservatives.