New British Sikh MP wants to strengthen Labour’s India connection

British Sikh MP Jeevun Sandher aims to rebuild trust in politics, strengthen Labour's ties with India and diaspora.

Jeevun Sandher, one of Britain’s newest members of Parliament elected in the Labour Party’s landslide general election victory earlier this month, is determined to restore trust in politics and strengthen his party’s connection with India and its diaspora communities.

The British Sikh first-time MP was elected from Loughborough in the East Midlands region of England, considered a bellwether constituency which has reflected the national result in U.K. general elections over the years.

He referenced the visit of U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy to India earlier this week as a symbol of the high level of priority the incoming government places on the relationship as it gets on with the job of “delivering change”.

“From a personal perspective, I am a part of the Indian diaspora so I see it as a natural connection, for the Labour Party and the incoming Labour government,” he told PTI in an interview at the Parliament complex in London this week.

“It is a hugely important strategic partnership for us, which is why David has gone out there to stress that it is an incredibly important partnership for us in the region and globally. India is the world's largest democracy, there is a trade deal in the works as well. It is about ensuring that we achieve a lot together for the mutual benefit of both nations,” he said.

Mr. Sandher, in his mid-30s, was born in the eastern England town of Luton to parents who migrated from Punjab and regularly travels back to the region with his family. While these India visits will now face a few more protocol hurdles given his new parliamentary role, his work with voluntary organisations such as Labour Indians keeps him closely connected to the country of his heritage.

“I think Labour Indians has helped inform policy, helped me personally as well. I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved and look forward to achieving even more in the weeks, months and years to come,” he said of his party’s diaspora outreach.