Labour candidate shocked by ‘divisive’ Tory letter

A Labour election candidate has instructed the BBC she is “upset and shocked” by a “divisive” letter despatched to British Pakistani voters by her Conservative opponent.

In a letter addressed to “the British Pakistani/Kasmiri group in Dudley”, Marco Longhi requested: “Will or not it’s me, or Labour Get together Parliamentary Candidate Sonia KUMAR?”, underlining his rival’s title.

Critics claimed this was to level out Ms Kumar’s British Indian background within the hope of persuading British Pakistani Muslims to not vote for her. Kumar is a conventional Indian title, used predominantly by members of the Hindu group but in addition by some Sikhs.

Mr Longhi, who’s standing to be MP for Dudley, mentioned he was “not making an attempt to stoke division”.

However Sonia Kumar, who’s Sikh, mentioned that it was “unacceptable” to “suggest that she wouldn’t arise for all of [her] constituents due to [her] faith and heritage”.

“I work in our NHS as a physiotherapist, serving to all of the individuals of Dudley it doesn’t matter what their background is,” she mentioned.

Labour Get together chairwoman Anneliese Dodds referred to as the letter “clearly inappropriate, divisive, canine whistle politics”.

“There is no such thing as a place for such behaviour wherever in our political system. Rishi Sunak must take motion instantly. If he fails to take action, it’ll present his promise of professionalism, and accountability to be a hole sham,” she mentioned.

Crossbench peer Lord Austin, who was the Labour MP for Dudley North from 2005 to 2019, mentioned he had labored laborious to struggle racism and sectarian politics and to convey native individuals collectively.

“The individuals of Dudley are significantly better than this and I hope they reject this candidate and his nasty divisive politics.”

Rajesh Agrawal, Labour’s candidate for Leicester East, mentioned the letter was a “shameful” try and divide the realm and was “offensive” to each Muslims and Hindus communities.

Within the letter, Mr Longhi, who beforehand represented Dudley North, mentioned he had been “on the forefront of talking in opposition to the Indian authorities atrocities in the direction of the individuals of Kashmir” and the re-election of Indian PM Narendra Modi would imply “even more durable instances for the individuals of Kashmir”.

He wrote: “Do you have to vote for me, I make a pledge to you that I’ll elevate my voice for Kashmir in Parliament much more and will probably be on the forefront of standing up for Kashmiris in Parliament.”

The Himalayan area of Kashmir has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan for over eight many years. Each international locations declare the Muslim-majority territory in full, however management it partly.

The Indian military has been combating a separatist insurgency within the area for over three many years, which has claimed 1000’s of lives. India blames Pakistan for fomenting violence within the area, a cost its neighbour denies.

Locals in Kashmir have lengthy accused safety forces of excesses, together with beatings and torture, which Indian authorities routinely reject.

Mr Longhi instructed the BBC many individuals in the neighborhood had instructed him they had been “very involved about what’s taking place in Kashmir”.

Requested if he had been divisive by highlighting Ms Kumar’s surname, Mr Longhi mentioned: “I do not know what her ethnicity or non secular background is. I’m not making an attempt to stoke division.

“I’ll all the time arise for abuses of human rights wherever they happen,” he added.

The letter was posted on X by Sunder Katwala, director of the British Future suppose tank, which focuses on integration, migration, identification and race.

Sharing the letter, he mentioned that previously totally different events had made pitches to voters of 1 ethnicity or religion however “it mustn’t occur”.

“For my part any of the main events ought to droop a candidate for doing this. Sectarian group pitches are mistaken,” he wrote.

“This specific instance is additional exacerbated by this aware use of prejudice in opposition to the candidate of a rival get together.”

The Conservative Get together has been approached for remark.

You will discover a full checklist of candidates for the Dudley constituency here.