Jeremy Corbyn: Labour look into “policies we can develop from the principles of the Sikh faith”

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn yesterday took part in the weekly langar seva (free communal kitchen selfless service) held by Nishkam SWAT (Sikh Welfare Awareness Team) in Slough, where he spoke on the impact of “Sikh principles” on Britain and Labour politics.

See a video of Corbyn speaking on connecting with SWAT here.

Speaking to the Sikh Press Association after taking part in the seva (selfless service), which SWAT hold twice a week on Slough High Street (Monday and Wednesday from 6.30pm), the incumbent Labour leader discussed both the impact of langar seva by the Sikh community and also efforts to further connect Labour to the community.

Speaking on the fact that over 30,000 meals are served a week on the streets of the UK by various Sikh langar seva groups (which does not include meals served in Gurdwaras), the MP for Islington North said “It’s 30,000 meals to people who would otherwise go hungry. I want to thank everyone from SWAT and the Sikh community for the work they do. I served one man, he put the food in his bag and he said to me ‘Thank you. I have to survive on £21 a week. Without the Sikh community I would starve’.

“The message we can get from the Sikh community is one of inclusion and help for people. I want to thank the whole Sikh community for the principles behind that; of donating and giving.”

Answering another question on opening up dialogue between the Sikh community and Labour, Corbyn said “We have the Sikhs 4 Labour group. I have also held a *Sikh roundtable meeting to go through the policies we can develop from the principles of the Sikh faith.

“One of our MPs is Tan Dhesi who is secretary of parliament to my office. He gives fantastic help and support to me and the team and also brings the voice of Sikh community principles to parliament. We are grateful for that and to the community for all they do to help people, some of whom are going through the most difficult period of their lives.”

Asking to make a final point to our reporter, Corbyn stated “We’re the fifth richest country in the world. This is 21^st century. People should not be sleeping rough. People should not be starving. Children should not be in overcrowded homes. We have such an unequal society, where we are more interested in cutting service to the poorest rather than taxing the richest fairly. I want to change it around.”

*Note: this roundtable meeting was held back in 2017, which is why we asked about Labour doing more to open up dialogue with the Sikh community.