The U.K. is “stronger, safer and better off as a member of the EU”, a newly-formed cross-party group of British Indian parliamentarians, comprising members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, has stated.
The group, British Indians for IN, claims to have the backing of an overwhelming majority of parliamentarians of Indian origin.
“We are British Parliamentarians of Indian-origin and whilst we represent different political views, on a whole range of matters, we believe that membership of the EU is an issue which transcends party politics,” the 15 founding members of the group stated in an open letter issued on Wednesday. “The reason why the United Kingdom is so attractive to Indians is not just a shared history and culture, but also because Indian businesses see the U.K. as a springboard for access to the European Union,” Seema Malhotra, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Labour Member of Parliament, told The Hindu .
Also active in other Stay campaigns, Ms. Malhotra said: British Indians for IN fills a gap as it represents a “different way of reaching out, of starting a new conversation among British Indians, including the younger generation, and listening to the concerns of the community.”
Ms. Malhotra has a special appeal to make to parents and grandparents.
“Listen to the young people of Britain. Take note of what they think is best for their future.” The group breaks ranks with the vocal group of senior pro-Brexit parliamentarians led by the London Mayor and MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Boris Johnson.
Priti Patel, a senior cabinet member and one-time confidant of Prime Minister David Cameron who appointed her as ‘Diaspora Champion’, is one of the earliest and most prominent Indian-origin MP to have joined the Brexit group. No other British Indian parliamentarian has thus far announced support for her on Brexit.
Among the MPs who have signed the letter are Chairman of Cobra Beer Partnership Ltd, Lord Karan Bilimoria; Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords Lord Navnit Dholakia; Founder of the Loomba Foundation Lord Rajinder Loomba; Prime Minister’s Infrastructure Envoy to India Alok Sharma MP; Chair of the Indo-British All Party Parliamentary Group Virendra Sharma MP; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Ministry of Justice Shailesh Vara MP; Emeritus Professor of Political Philosophy, University of Westminster Lord Bhikhu Parekh; Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz MP; and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department for International Development Baroness Sandip Verma.
