The Sikh Federation (UK) in association with the Sikh Channel and Operation Black Vote has invited leading politicians from the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green Parties to take part in high profile BBC Question Time style programmes – Sikh Vote 2010.

Representatives from each of the mainstream political parties are expected to take part with representatives from the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and UK Independence Party also being on the Panel.

Issues of importance to Sikhs in the UK will be discussed so that individuals can make a well informed voting decision at the General Election. The issues range from fair representation in public life, the 2011 Census, protecting and promoting the Sikh identity in the UK and EU, freedom to wear the five articles of faith, human rights concerns etc.

These issues and many more need to be on the radar of political parties and MPs seeking the votes of Sikhs. Sikhs born in the UK comprise around two-thirds of all UK Sikhs and are becoming particularly mindful of who will best represent their needs and deliver on their promises.

There will be weekly events in five major cities in lecture theatre style venues at UK Universities.

You need to register in advance with the Sikh Federation (UK) by emailing your name, full address and the event in which you wish to participate to info@sikhfederation.com. There will be a restriction on audience numbers so please book your place as soon as possible.

A Sikh Federation (UK) representative will chair each of the events. All questions to be asked will be based on suggestions from the audience. Feel free to email suggested questions to info@sikhfederation.com.

Refreshments will be provided to members of the audience and Panel members between 2.00-2.30pm. The Sikh Federation (UK) will be working with University Sikh Societies and local Gurdwaras to ensure the events are a success. The programmes are expected to be televised on the Sikh Channel (Sky 840).

Saturday, 30th January 2010
10am–5.30pm (Registration from 9am)
Congress House, Great Russell St, London WC1
(nearest tube Tottenham Court Road)
www.progressivelondon.org.uk

Progressive London is a unique coalition, launched by Ken Livingstone, and involving people and views from across the political, cultural, community, generational and artistic spectrum, to promote the kinds of progressive policies which have made London such a success and a place where people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds can be themselves and come together around common goals.

Speakers include:
Ken Livingstone
Diane Abbott MP
Dr. Abdul Bari, Muslim Council of Britain
Anas Altikriti
Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle
Jon Cruddas MP
Dr. Edie Friedman, Executive Director of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality
Bruce Kent – Vice President CND
Doreen Lawrence OBE
Jon McClure – Reverend and the Makers
Professor Tariq Ramadan
Bellavia Ribeiro-Addy – NUS Black Students Officer
Wilf Sullivan – TUC Race Equality Officer
Uprise speaker
Unite Against Fascism speaker

Monday 23rd November
7pm
Committee Room 9
Houses of Parliament
London SW1A 0AA

Entrance is through the main entrance to the Houses of Parliament, through the Cromwell Green Entrance.

Rt. Hon Sadiq Khan MP — Minister for Transport
Ken Livingstone
Susan Kramer MP
Emily Thornberry MP
Jenny Jones — London Assembly Member
Dr Abdul Bari — Muslim Council of Britain
Rabbi Lee Wax — Jewish Council for Racial Equality
Bruce Kent — Vice-President, Pax Christi
Dabinderjit Singh OBE — Spokesman for Sikh Secretariat
Anas Altikriti — British Muslim Initiative
Billy Hayes — General Secretary, Communication Workers Union
Keith Sonnet — Deputy General Secretary UNISON
Diana Holland — Assistant General Secretary UNITE
Faisal Hanjra — President Federation of Student Islamic Societies
Bellavia Ribeiro-Addy — NUS Black Students’ Officer
Sabby Dhalu — Unite Against Fascism

Our most fundamental human rights include the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and cultural expression. It took hundreds of years of struggles, including international and civil wars, to establish the freedoms of religious and cultural expression and these must be vigorously upheld subject only to the proportionate protection of the human rights and freedoms of others.These universal rights must be defended for all groups in society.

In recent months, we have seen increasing instances of discrimination against Muslims, Sikhs, Jews and Christians, ranging from discouragement of simply wearing symbols of religious faith or cultural identity to the extreme actions like the demonstration in September outside a place of worship, Harrow Mosque. This occurs against the backdrop of June’s European elections where the racist, extreme right won seats in national elections for the first time in British history.

It is necessary for democrats, of all faiths and none, to come together to defend these fundamental freedoms, which are the cornerstones of liberal and democratic society.