British Indian councillors from across the UK have publicly pledged their support for the cross-party 'British Indians for IN' campaign.
Councillors spanning the whole of UK said that being a member of the European Union significantly benefits the country not just economically, but in terms of security, trade and our presence globally, and are actively campaigning in their local areas to secure the 'Remain' vote on the 23rd of June.
Councillor Geetha Morla, from Milton Keynes, said, “For me, there is no question about whether or not Britain should remain a member of the EU.
"The European single market is by far our biggest trading partner, providing jobs and ensuring lower prices in our shops.
"Our membership also means we have a seat at the table to determine the rules of doing business and that we can collaborate on issues such as the environment. By contrast, a vote for Brexit is a leap in the dark and a huge gamble on an uncertain future.”
Balwant Chadha, councillor for Cumbernauld North in North Lanarkshire and the country's first Sikh Justice of the Peace, said, “I strongly believe that Britain is in a much stronger position remaining in E.U and safer not only economically and culturally, but is able to lead people in European countries to improve their quality of life.”
Sandwell councillor Preet Gill made the historical case for Britain remaining, stating: “Britain has a history of engaging with the world and standing up on matters of international laws against country's.
"With its rich diversity it cannot and should not be a country that becomes insular but continues to be outward facing and addressing matters like immigration, terrorism and the economy with the EU as together, we are stronger and better.”
Leicester City Councillor Vijay Singh Riyait believes that Britain's membership of the EU is critical to our long-term prospects, commenting: “Britain's future economic and social well being relies on us being an integral part of the EU and working to tackle the big issues facing us all such as climate change, migration and security with our Europeans friends.”
Councillor Kamaljit Singh Chana, from Harrow Council, said the choice for him is simple: “I want a seat at the table whereby I can effectively contribute to an issue, influence and set strategy that will affect my country.”
Looking to the future, Councillor Mukesh Malhotra from Hounslow said that his vote to remain would be a vote for his children and grandchildren: “Our membership of EU supports jobs and investment and helps deliver social justice. I stay remain for the benefit of my children & grandson in the future.”
Senior Labour MP Virendra Sharma MP, who represents Ealing Southall a constituency with a large British Indian community, explained his position on the upcoming referendum: “Being a member of the EU means that the UK is better off and safer in an increasingly uncertain world.
"While the UK is in the EU it stands between the Commonwealth and Europe, we are a stronger trading partner for India while we have access to the Single Market. Voting to remain means staying part of the Single Market of 500 million people – Britain’s biggest trading partner – with a say over the rules of doing business across Europe. That means more jobs, lower prices, and more financial security for British families.”
Conservative MP Alok Sharma, who is co-ordinating the 'British Indians for IN' campaign, commented: “There are around 1.2 million British Indians voters across the UK and our votes could be absolutely crucial in determining the outcome of the EU referendum on 23 June.
"It is clear that very many people and business leaders within the British Indian community agree that voting to remain in the UK is the right choice for our country and our community.
"Please make sure your vote counts as we are better off and safer as member of the EU.”
The full list is as follows:
Cllr Krupesh Hirani, London Borough of Brent, Labour
Cllr Dhanisha Patel, Bridgend County Council, Labour
Cllr Rishi Shori, Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, Labour
Cllr Baggy Shanker, Derby City Council, Labour
Cllr Balbir Sandhu, Derby City Council, Labour
Cllr Joe Naitta, Derby City Council, Liberal Democrat
Cllr Charan Sharma, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Gurmit Mann, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Jasbir Anand, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Joanna Camadoo, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Kamaljit Dhindsa, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Kamaljit Nagpal, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Karam Mohan, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Mohammed Aslam, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Mohinder Midha, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Rajinder Mann, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Ranjit Dheer, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Safraz Khan, London Borough of Ealing, London
Cllr Shital Manro, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Swaran Padda, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Swarn Kang, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Tej Bagha, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Tejinder Dhami, London Borough of Ealing, Labour
Cllr Harpinder Singh, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Labour
Cllr Kaushika Amin, London Borough of Haringey, Labour
Cllr Aneka Shah-Levy, London Borough of Harrow, Labour
Cllr Ajay Maru, London Borough of Harrow, Labour
Cllr Bharat Thakker, London Borough of Harrow, Conservative
Cllr Kairul Kareema Marikar, Borough of Harrow, Labour
Cllr Kamaljit Chana, London Borough of Harrow, Conservative
Cllr Kiran Ramchandani, London Borough of Harrow, Labour
Cllr Mina Parmar, London Borough of Harrow, Conservative
Cllr Ajmer Grewal, London Borough of Hounslow, Labour
Cllr Bandna Chopra, London Borough of Hounslow, Labour
Cllr Harleen Atwal Hear, London Borough of Hounslow, Labour
Cllr Manjit Singh Buttar, London Borough of Hounslow, Labour
Cllr Mukesh Malhotra, London Borough of Hounslow, Labour
Cllr Pritam Grewal, London Borough of Hounslow, Labour
Cllr Rajinder Bath, London Borough of Hounslow, Labour
Cllr Sachin Gupta, London Borough of Hounslow, Labour
Cllr Surinder Purewal, London Borough of Hounslow, Labour
Cllr Satnam Gill, London Borough of Islington, Labour
Cllr Raju Pandya, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Conservative
Cllr Aminur Thalukdar, Leicester City Council, Labour
Cllr Ratilal Govind, Leicester City Council, Labour
Cllr Vijay Singh Riyait, Leicester City Council, Labour
Cllr Asha Saroy, Medway Council, Conservative
Cllr Laxmi Attawar, London Borough of Merton, Labour
Cllr Geetha Morla, Milton Keynes, Conservative
Cllr Jatin Patel, Mole Valley District Council, Conservative
Cllr Balwant Singh Chadha, North Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Labour
Cllr Gurpal Atwal, Oadby and Wigston District Council, Labour
Cllr M Latif Darr, Oadby and Wigston District Council, Liberal Democrat
Cllr Yakub Patel, Preston City Council, Labour
Cllr Varinder Singh Bola, London Borough of Redbridge, Labour
Cllr Ben Khosa, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Liberal Democrat
Cllr Preet Gill, Sandwell Council, Labour
Cllr Amarpreet Dhaliweel, Slough Council, Conservative
Cllr Arvind Dhaliwal, Slough Council, Labour
Cllr Joginder S Bal, Slough Council, Labour
Cllr Rajinder S Sandhu, Slough Council, Conservative
Cllr Satpal S Parmar, Slough Council, Labour
Cllr Wal Chahal, Slough Council, Conservative
Cllr Sunil Chopra, London Borough of Southwark, Labour
Cllr Daxa Patel, Spelthorne Borough Council, Conservative
Cllr Gurmeet Singh Kallar, Stoke-On-Trent City Council, Labour
Cllr Reena Ranger, Three Rivers District Council, Conservative
Cllr Shiria Khatun, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Labour
Cllr Balvinder Gill, Warwick District Council, Labour
Cllr Bilqees Mauthoor, Watford Borough Council, Labour
Cllr Arun Photay, Wolverhampton City Council, Conservative
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