UK Election 2024: Rajesh Agrawal Indore-born Labor Party candidate for Leicester East

What are the issues in your constituency and how do they differ from what is being discussed nationally?

The issues are very similar, frankly, up and down the country. But one particular thing in Leicester East is around unemployment and low wages, which then creates a double whammy with the rising cost of living. This comes pretty much to the doorstep. And so my experience as London’s Deputy Mayor for Business and also as an entrepreneur… I’m getting ready to get stuck in, kick-start the economy in Leicester East, create new jobs, bring in investment, support business here in Leicester East.

In addition to the problems of declining public services, people cannot get doctor or dentist appointments, hospital appointments. All this is a big problem. Then in terms of education, getting places in schools for children is very difficult. And then, of course, Leicester East needs someone who can bring different communities together. I am very proud to have been the first Hindu Deputy Mayor of London, working alongside the first Muslim Mayor of London. And I want to work to bring all the communities of Leicester together.

Two years ago, there were unusual problems between the communities. Marco Longhi, the Tory candidate in Dudley has recently come under fire for trying to patch things up. And there was also some news about some RSS and BJP affiliates stirring up trouble two years ago. Are things resolved? Are you seeing any of these this year?

Leicester has been a beacon of multicultural society for decades, people of different faiths and different ethnic backgrounds have all lived together. Of course, there have been some challenges recently and that’s why there is a strong will on the part of the communities – all the different communities – to actually come together. It is a work in progress. Of course, you know, we have to continuously work on it. We shouldn’t take anything for granted.

Do you notice anything from abroad, like say the political parties in India, and in particular, the BJP RSS affiliates, acting in this election?

I haven’t seen anything. I mean, there is absolutely no sign to suggest any of this. I am very focused on my campaign, talking to people. The 1000 conversations I’ve had tend to be about local issues, frankly… employment, the economy, public services, the NHS (National Health Service), that sort of thing. .

What activities are taking place in Leicester East to keep communities together?

There is dialogue. For example, women of Hindu and Muslim faith meet regularly. Organized teas, one to one cups of tea between people of different faiths and so on. So there are community initiatives going on. I know there is a strong will in all communities to come together. It must be community driven, not political.

How is immigration playing out as an issue in Leicester East? Is there a difference between the first generation and the others in this matter?

Leicester is a city of immigrants. It has great stories about people coming from different parts of the world, especially from South Asia via East Africa or directly. They came here with nothing, many of them. They worked very hard. They lived together, they did well in life. It is an aspirational community. We are very proud to be a city of immigrants in this sense. But at the same time, the 14 years of Conservative government have failed to do enough to provide those jobs and opportunities to the new arrivals and services that help them integrate into the new country.

There is no doubt that we need to reduce net migration, but the important thing is that as people come into the country, it is important that the infrastructure keeps up, in terms of hospitals and clinics (doctors’ clinics) and schools. and transportation and housing and everything. And the government has failed to do that. So we are very proud of all the contributions that immigrants, especially those from the subcontinent, have made to Leicester.

Asians generally vote Labour. But you have the Sunak factor. How does this work in Leicester?

Ultimately, the people of this country will vote on the issues that affect them every day. And the truth is, we’re stuck in this very poor, extremely slow-growing economy. Not enough good paying jobs. People cannot get appointments at the family doctor, at the dentist, at the hospital. Children cannot get places at school. The number of classes has actually increased. All these issues are the main concerns for people across the country, including the British Indian community. So while it is a matter of pride to have a non-white person of Indian origin as Prime Minister, the main thing is about the performance, which was a big disappointment.

What differentiates your candidacy from former MP Claudia Webbe (independent) or Keith Vaz (a former Labor MP, who is running again)?

I have a great track record. And not just as a first-generation immigrant, like many people here in Leicester East, I came to this country with very little. I built businesses, served as Deputy Mayor of London for Business, one of the most diverse and largest cities in the world.

How did your beginnings in India and your background affect your politics and desire to be in politics?

So I was born and brought up in what you would describe as a lower middle class family in India. My mother was a teacher. My father was a mechanic in the irrigation department of Madhya Pradesh state. Very humble beginnings, but I had a good upbringing. I went to a Catholic school in Indore and completed all my education and studied business. My first full-time job was actually selling website design services for Rs. 5000 per month. I have been to Chandigarh and Mumbai. And then I had the opportunity to come to this country. I still remember when I first landed at Heathrow Airport (in 2001), I had never been on a plane before.

I was 24 years old, I was young. This country welcomed me with open arms and gave me so much. So for me, it’s kind of giving back to the society and the community that has given me so much.

I’m also proud of the fact that I put a lot of work into trying to connect janmabhoomi (realm of birth) with mine karmabhoomi (land of work). When I first became Deputy Mayor of London, India was the fourth largest investor in London. When I left, he was the biggest investor in London. We have opened three offices in India to promote trade and investment between the two countries.