The prime objective here is possibly not against a particular Sikh political party, but more the fact that perhaps certain individuals or organisations do not want a visible/practising Sikh to represent the constituents of the area concerned, hence that any visible/practising Sikh who stands is being directly linked to the Sikh Federation (UK) and false propaganda invented to undermine the nationally respected status any organisation (such as the Sikh Federation) that is in support of this stance of such a candidate…

I’m sorry but this is a load of nonsense — typical kneejerk smear tactics of ethnic nationalists — disagree with a self declared Sikh political oprganisation and you are against all Sikhs, disagree with all Muslim or Black or Hindu or Jewish organisations and you are against all Muslims and Blacks and Hindus or Jews, same old rhetoric and clapped out thinking, same old thin skinned hyper sensitivity to criticism and attempts to conflate the criticised with an entire group of people. What hubris and arrogance. But not an unexpected response in the case of the Sikh Federation.

Did anyone ever watch the apprentice? is this a really good marketing ploy for talent and what is the definition of talent- do we measure this before or after the job?
are we really bothered about colour when all we really want in non corrupt people to run the area.
The support will follow later – it wont be much different from what it is now – even if a female gets in because most of the people are men in the party??

I do not wish to offend anyone in what I said but am happy to hear from you all

best wishes

http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/ealingsouthall#comment-21094
Story of one of the Ealing Southall hopefuls

Model sues politician over assault allegation

A young model has submitted a claim against a Labour councillor who is accused of having her arrested days before her university dissertation was due to be handed in.

Cllr Jasbir Anand (Lab, Southall Green) is accused of defaming insurance broker Natasha Tah after reporting her to police last year.

Cllr Anand, a hopeful to take over as Ealing and Southall MP at the next General Election, told police that Natasha, of Uxbridge Road, Southall, assaulted her in the street in April last year.

Natasha was investigated by police for three months before the case was thrown out by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Speaking exclusively to the Ealing Times – sister paper of Local London – in March, Natasha told how being arrested four days before she was due to hand in her dissertation “totally affected” her university performance.

The claim against Cllr Anand was issued on April 11 and is currently awaiting confirmation of receipt from Cllr Anand’s solicitors.

Natasha’s solicitor David Sheahan said he was confident in the strength of the case.

He said: “How it works is we get a report leaving all the names out – except for our client’s – and the other solicitors get the same but with their client’s name.

“When we put the two reports together we will get the complete picture. In my opinion Anand is going to find it difficult to justify her allegations in light of that report.”

Cllr Anand said she and her solicitors would not be commenting on the case at this time.

5:57am Sunday 3rd June 2007

By David Doyle

In my humble opinion the general majority of the community seem not to share these views, nor does this Government and the active mainstream political parties in the country as shown in Post 44.

The prime objective here is possibly not against a particular Sikh political party, but more the fact that perhaps certain individuals or organisations do not want a visible/practising Sikh to represent the constituents of the area concerned, hence that any visible/practising Sikh who stands is being directly linked to the Sikh Federation (UK) and false propaganda invented to undermine the nationally respected status any organisation (such as the Sikh Federation) that is in support of this stance of such a candidate…..

What do you think of what Geiffrey Robinson had to say?

I saw a nasty case of KKK Tourette’s at first hand last week when I was in a Five Live discussion with Gordon Brown’s friend and mentor, Geoffrey Robinson MP. He had been talking, perfectly reasonably, about Labour’s forthcoming by-elections. And then he had a sort of seizure. “We’ll be fine,” he said, “so long as we don’t choose a white candidate in Ealing Southall and a black in Sedgefield.”

Suddenly realising what had issued from his mouth, he looked embarrassed, as if he had just passed wind in front of the Queen. “Well, ah, um, let me be clear,” he bumbled in desperation, “we’ll be fine with a candidate of any colour, creed, race or gender…”

Hope it’s not too late, Geoff. Next time you hear a politician suddenly announce he doesn’t like darkies, or he bets Rosa Parks never bought a ticket for that bus, you’ll know what it is: KKK Tourette’s.

Please write to the Sikh Federation (UK) on info@sikhfederation.uk with specific things we may have done that you are not unhappy with since we came into existence in September 2003. There is nothing we do that is illegal.

If we campaign to highlight human rights abuses in India or campaign for an independent Sikh State we do this peacefully through lobbying and diplomatic pressure. Why should you be concerned if we exercise our democratic rights in a civilised manner unlike those in India that have tortured, murdered, disappeared etc. our fellow brothers and sisters.

Elsewhere we have said next Cllr Gurinder Singh will be accused of being a member of the Sikh Federation (UK) and no one should vote for him.

While you are at it why not include any other Sikh that may be running – Sonika Nirwal, Jasbir Anand and Gurcharan Singh in that list. They are all as much members of the Sikh Federation (UK) as Dr Harkirtan Singh.

What the Sikh Federation (UK) is looking for is a visible/practising Sikh who will do a good job to represent the Ealing Southall constituents as well as the Sikh community in general.

i hope peopel vote for a chnage from labour
its been compelte shite since.

Thanks for the reply. Your heart is in the right place when you wrote:

“The runners up would then in true democratic traditions have to back the person selected – male or female, Sikh or non-Sikh.”

Seems to me you are a true democrat.

Last few exchanges are posted:

Following many posts supporting AWS. I posted the following:

It would be helpful if someone could answer the following questions:

1) How many and what % ethnic minority MPs do we have in the Commons? [compare this number and % to women).

2) How many and what % ethnic minority MPs do we have from London? Around 30% of the population is ethnic minority

3) I think the % of women MPs representing Labour in the London region is around 37.6% (Labour has a target of 40%) Why is there no target for ethnic minorities?

4) Who agrees that the lower level of ethnic minority representation is a HIGHER priority than women representation, especially in Ealing Southall?

Antonia who’s the owner of the blog and a Labour councillor for Rose Hill and Iffley ward in Oxford responded to say:

Gurjeet – we currently have 15 BME MPs – 2%. I agree with you that increasing black representation is an absolute priority, but it’s really unhelpful to play off black and women’s representation against one another. I’d like more black women in Parliament, please – and Ealing Southall should stay AWS.

I have just responded as follows:

Antonia you wrote:

Gurjeet – we currently have 15 BME MPs – 2%. I agree with you that increasing black representation is an absolute priority, but it’s really unhelpful to play off black and women’s representation against one another. I’d like more black women in Parliament, please – and Ealing Southall should stay AWS.

To get fair representation the first priority should be more ethnic minorities, the second priority should be to get more women. If we can get more ethnic minority women elected this meets both priorities. However, the 10-year AWS experience for ethnic minorities (women and men has not been good) – nearly always a non-white woman has been selected. Hence, open selection is preferred in constituencies with large ethnic minorities.

See link to BBC article below, not sure if AWS has produced an ethnic minority MP.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4054429.stm

As you have probably heard the Ealing Southall selection is open.

Do those who support AWS (as I do) also support all ethnic minority short lists. The current Labour Party chair supports AWS, but not sure about the other. See link below:

http://www.blink.org.uk/pdescription.asp?key=15082&grp=66&cat=217

Also how can the Labour Party defend having a target of 40% for women MPs, but no target for ethnic minorities?

Harjinder Singh wrote:

Don’t elect a member of the Sikh Federation. They are an extremist organisation who are alledged to be funding elements in the khalistan movement. We need moderate, progressive Sikhs and non-sikh Punjabis to come to the front.

At no stage have we said elect a member of the Sikh Federation. In fact are not aware of any that may be short listed or even applying for the position who are Federation members. They may however share some of our concerns.

Regarding the other ‘allegations’ the write up below shows Harjinder Singh is way off mark in describing the activities of the Sikh Federation (UK) since being established in September 2003.

UK Govt praises work of Sikh Federation
Wednesday 13th of September 2006
Gurjeet Singh, National Press Secretary, Sikh Federation (UK)

London, UK – As the Sikh Federation (UK) prepares for its fourth annual National Sikh Convention to take place at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Sedgley Street, Wolverhampton on Sunday 17 September, the UK Government has given its clearest public indication yet of its appreciation and respect for the work of the Federation in representing Britain’s Sikh community.

The Federation was launched 3 years ago and has come a long way since Oliver Letwin MP, the Shadow Home Secretary used the words below at the National Sikh Convention in September 2003.

‘It is excellent news that the Convention today has announced the creation of a new national Sikh organisation, the Sikh Federation (UK). It is good that you have decided to work with the mainstream parties. As a cohesive organisation you will have a better chance of achieving not just proper recognition of Sikhs, but a host of other objectives.

The announcement of the establishment of the Sikh Federation (UK) is good news for Sikhs and good news for Britain. You are showing a determination to act as a cohesive force. You are bringing the Sikh community together to ensure that you are best placed to work with the grain of political and social institutions in this country. The work that you do has never been more important. By organising this event today and coming here in such vast numbers you are showing your commitment to public life and a determination to lead by example.’

The Rt. Hon. Hazel Blears MP, the Chair of the Labour Party, in a letter received by the Federation a few days ago states:

‘May I commend the work of the Sikh Federation (UK), and thank you for all that you do. You have the respect of Government Ministers because of the seriousness and diligence you bring to your work of representing Britain’s Sikh community. In that, you are a model for others to emulate.’

Many see this as a potential turning point and recognition for the considerable local and national lobbying on behalf of the Sikhs by the Federation over the last few years. However, Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Federation, said: “These are challenging times for the Sikh community in the UK and abroad. The work we do on behalf of the Sikh community needs greater professionalism and resources to take us to new levels in the coming years. This represents an excellent opportunity to consolidate and build so we can significant progress on our stated aims and objectives.”

“The public recognition by the UK Government of our work is vitally important and has come about after several years of lobbying and work behind the scenes. We have had considerable support from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour MPs and the smaller political parties for which we are extremely grateful. However, words of support from across the political spectrum will only have true meaning if we can translate these into positive action in key areas where Sikhs have genuine concerns. The next few years will be a test for us all. Provided we remain focused and united and have the backing of the Sangat our success will be for all to see.”

http://www.panthic.org/news/124/ARTICLE/2741/2006-09-13.html

Anyway, speculation aside, are there any fiesty female Sikhs around as potential candidates? Re Unitys’ point.

Yes – female and male Sikhs are in the running.

Hopefully, the selection panel will do the sensible thing in coming up with the short list and let the Labour Party membership of around 2,000 in Ealing Southall decide who should represent them. The runners up would then in true democratic traditions have to back the person selected – male or female, Sikh or non-Sikh.

Hmm, and Sunny has something important to tell us in July?

Anyway, speculation aside, are there any fiesty female Sikhs around as potential candidates? Re Unitys’ point.

The timetable is something along the following lines:

Applicants by 12 noon on Monday 2 July. [Apparently got about 50 applicants today]

Long list of about 10 selected by Monday evening.

Interviews on Tuesday 3 July to get down to 4 or 5. Possibly hustings the same day.

Voting by Labour Party members on Wednesday 4 July.

Our guess – 80% possibility of a Sikh candidate.