Alistair Campbell once famously said of Labour that “we don’t do God.” Well I think we should. Throughout my time as Minister for Community Cohesion I was struck by how important religion is to the life of our country. We in the Labour movement must not shy away from acknowledging the important role that faith communities play. Labour must do religion and the truth is we always have.
Since the earliest days of Labour, faith communities have shaped our movement. From the Christian socialists who have campaigned for decades on issues from social justice to climate change to the Sikh communities that are the lifeblood of Constituency Labour Parties up and down the land – faith communities continue to play a central role in the life of our party.
For many, the values of the Labour party chime with the principles that underpin their faith. Whether it’s the Christian belief that “I am my brother’s keeper” or the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam – our responsibility to ‘repair the world’ – what guides many people of faith is the belief that we all have a duty to the community in which we live. It was this view that got me involved in the Labour party in the first place. I have always believed, not only that there is such a thing as society, but that we all have a duty to strengthen it.
This belief lies at the very heart of what it means to be a Sikh. Seva, often translated as ‘selfless service’, is seen by many as the essence of Sikhism itself. It is the conviction that we have a responsibility to our fellow man. As with so many other faiths, it encapsulates the belief that we all have an obligation to our community that transcends our selfish needs and desires.
Sikh Friends of Labour will be launched at a special Vasaikhi celebration this month. A new organisation, it has been set up to build strong links between UK Sikhs and the Labour party, and represent the interests of both. With nearly 100 people from up and down the country set to attend the launch, it shows just how engaged the Sikh community is in the Labour movement. I would like to thank Stephen Timms MP, Labour party Vice Chair for Faith Groups, for his support in making this important group a reality. I hope that it will continue Labour’s rich tradition of putting faith communities at the heart of much of what we do.
The popularity of this group serves as a pertinent reminder of the vibrancy of Britain’s faith communities. It reminds us that these communities want to engage in the difficult issues affecting our lives. We are doing important work, but we can do more to engage positively with Britain’s faith communities. It’s time to move away from the language of ‘Preventing Violent Extremism’ – three negative words – and speak more optimistically about the valuable contribution that faith communities make.
I hope that this month’s launch will remind us all that Sikhism, just like so many other faiths, lies at the very heart of the Labour movement.
Will you be asking god to appear, because most of the people around me do not believe in a god, and if they did I think they be saying what a rubbish job he did.
The fact is you cannot force people to believe can you it’s been tried an failed.
Sorry what you need is to get real jobs so real people can work, I have to be honest I’m disabled and to be honest the jobs on offer to me picking up little or selling my soul to the DWP is a disgrace.
Jobs real jobs better pay real pay real values comes from not begging mate.
Sikh community have always been loyal Labour Party supporters, but lately their loyality has been taken for granted by this Government’s policies. That is why I am glad to this new group SIKH FRIENDS OF LABOUR being launched and I hope it works to bring about understanding between the Labour Group and the sikh community, many of whom feel disullisoned with the party due to the following reasons:
Ongoing Kirpan, Turban, Kara and other sikh faith issues not being taken seriously by Civil Servants
despite Sikh Community fighting in the World Wars
with the British in full sikh appearance, i.e. beards, turbans and other religious considerations.
Office of National Statistics refusing to collect data under Sikh ethnic category, recognised by Mandla Case. Thus sikh issues being ignored.
PVE monies are encouraging seperation and not integration and community cohesion. Focus on one group and funding it to a tune of £80 million creating divisions and rise of far right groups.
Government funded Muslim Women’s Advisory Group but Sikh Women’s Group doing empowerment
with its own limited resources and voluntary work.
No sikh women having been selected for any Labour seats in the upcoming General Election. Stephen Timms interference in Ilford North CLP and Lord Gould’s nepotism in Erith and Thamesmead CLP
ensures that there is no level playing ground to
win at shortlisting and selection meetings where all candidates should have an equal chance.
No women members on the Sikh Friends of Labour
group, where is gender equality. Good Luck to this Group, it certainly has lots of ground to cover before it becomes a true friend of Labour.