London, UK: The National Sikh Convention is expected to attract 10,000 delegates over three days – making it the biggest party conference in the UK.
The convention, will take place at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Sedgley Street (off Duncan Street), Wolverhampton, WV2 4AJ between Friday 19 September and 21 September.
The event is organised by the Sikh Federation (UK), the one and only Sikh political party. It was established over a decade ago to give the Sikh community a stronger political voice and protect and promote the interests of UK Sikhs.
Sikh Federation UK
The convention will set and debate the Sikh Manifesto – the vision for British Sikhs in the next Parliament. It will also reflect on the outcome of the Scottish Referendum that will be known as the Convention commences.
Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) said:
‘We eagerly await the outcome of the Scottish Referendum and will reflect on the implications at our Convention. A narrow no vote looks likely, but it will still mean big changes across the UK.’
‘Interestingly a yes vote may well mean the Scottish Government would be the first government to officially recognise and support the re-establishment of an independent Sikh State.’
‘Alex Salmond has at a previous Sikh Federation (UK) Convention and at an event we organised in the UK Parliament given his backing to self determination and a sovereign Sikh State.’
‘Irrespective of the outcome in Scotland the Sikh vote will be significant at the General Election next year. Therefore, the Sikh Manifesto setting out our demands is important to all the main political parties.’
2014 has been a significant year for the British Sikh community following the revelations of British involvement in the June 1984 massacre at the Sikhs’ holiest shrine in Amritsar. It is widely accepted in the Sikh community that the review in January led by the Cabinet Secretary and requested by David Cameron has proved insufficient.
The two main political parties realise they need to decide what if any commitment they are prepared to make. It may prove decisive in terms of the Sikh vote if Labour announces it will ensure an independent public inquiry into events 30 years ago if they come to power. On the other hand the Conservatives may be preparing to announce a further inquiry later this month.
The Sikh Manifesto will call for:
- the main political parties to support an independent judge-led enquiry into British involvement in the 1984 Sikh Genocide – over 200 UK politicians across the political spectrum have already given unequivocal backing, including the Scottish Government
- UK Government recognition of the 1984 Sikh Genocide and backing from the permanent members of the UN Security Council for a UN-led inquiry
- greater Sikh representation in the House of Commons and Lords
- the UK Government and its agencies to abandon the term ‘Asian’ and recognise ‘Sikh’ as an ethnic classification in the 2021 Census
- the introduction of a Statutory Code of Practice on the 5Ks and Sikh turban (Sikh articles of faith)
- UK Government working with other governments to exert pressure on France (and Belgium) to honour decisions by the UNHRC with respect to discrimination against turban wearing Sikhs
- the allocation of a suitable site in central London for a permanent monument to highlight Sikh sacrifices in the First World War that will be funded through public subscriptions
- The main political parties who are hoping to form the next government have in recent times made it clear that they want and need the Sikh vote and will therefore be closely monitoring the outcome of the Convention.
The convention will also:
- consider tactical voting at the next election in the context of around 40 constituencies where either the Sikh vote dominates or is crucial in marginals – for instance, the convention is expected to call on the 4,000 Sikh voters in Wolverhampton South West to support Labour’s Rob Marris (who will be speaking) in favour of the Conservative (and Sikh) incumbent Paul Uppal who only has a majority of 691.
- establish a UK-wide network of Sikh campaigners and activists supporting the political work of the Sikh Federation (UK), expected to have members covering at least 100 Parliamentary constituencies, with a focus on monitoring progress on the Sikh Manifesto at a local, national and European level. The main effort of activities of the Network will be to monitor progress against the Sikh Manifesto, co-ordinate associated political events and discuss changes in strategy and approach to help deliver the demands.