A few weeks ago, far from Ilford, the people of Makerfield rejected the politics of fear and backed a vision of Britain that is confident, inclusive, and outward-looking.
The result reshaped national politics and led to Keir Starmer’s resignation.
I pay tribute to his service.
His Government lifted more than 5,000 children out of poverty in Ilford South, reduced NHS waiting lists, strengthened workers’ rights, reset Britain’s international relationships, and took action to safeguard children online.
Beyond Westminster and Makerfield, I hope that this by-election marks a turning point against the politics of distrust, suspicion, and hate.
Recent weeks have seen inflammatory rhetoric spill offline onto our streets.
In Edinburgh, five people were assaulted in an anti-Muslim attack.
In the days following Henry Nowak’s senseless murder, nasty rhetoric fuelled the hostility and intimidation towards Sikhs.
Entire communities are being defined and punished by the actions of a few individuals.
This racist discourse is rooted in a simplistic narrative that some of us are not British, because of the colour of our skin or the religion we follow.
But the truth could not be further from this lazy story.
Over the past month, I have amplified the history that Britain too often forgets, to remind us that we have always been a stronger, fairer, and prouder Britain when we embrace our diversity.
Last month, I hosted an event on the Punjabi heritage suffragette, Sophia Duleep Singh, who dedicated her life to securing votes for women in Britain.
Her sister, Catherine Duleep Singh, helped Jewish families escape 1930s Germany.
A century ago, these women were shaping Britain, fighting for freedom and protecting those facing persecution.
The following week, I welcomed representatives of today’s British Army to Parliament to recreate a remarkable photograph of the Undivided Indian Army taken in 1902 in the Palace of Westminster.
Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Gurkha serving personnel stood together once again.
It was more than a recreation of a historic image.
It was a reminder that service to Britain has never belonged to one faith or ethnicity.
The history of Britain’s diverse communities is not separate from British history; it is British history.
That history cannot be so easily erased by the actions of some vile individuals.
Another politics is still possible.
A politics that rejects division in favour of hope and recognises Britain’s greatest strength has always been the diversity of the people who have built it together.
- Jas Athwal is Labour MP for Ilford South.
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