Hounslow Community Reception with Baroness Warsi

Last night Baroness Sayeeda Warsi was the guest of honour at our Hounslow Community Reception, kindly hosted by the Urban Spice restaurant.

Saira Khan, an entrepreneur and former contestant in ‘The Apprentice’ introduced Sayeeda to the guests. Saira talked about her experiences of being brought up in Britain and the values of hard work, focus and determination, which have helped her get to where she is now.

In her speech, Sayeeda mentioned how important it was to work across religious and ethnic groups and bring them together in the community. She did not feel that giving government funding to just one ethnic or religious organisation helped in creating community cohesion.

In my view, government funding should be given to local councils to distribute as a Community Cohesion grant. They can decide which organisations work best locally across all religious and ethnic groups, in building a stronger society, where people of all backgrounds live, study and work closely together within their local community.

Photo 1: Mary with Saira Khan and Sayeeda Warsi

Photo 2: Mr Pankaj Makol, Mr & Mrs Neeraj Makol and Mr Jaz Walia with Mary Macleod and Sayeeda Warsi at the Urban Spice restaurant, 159 Hanworth Road, Hounslow

Politics in the Classroom

Yesterday I visited Chiswick Community School with Sam Hearn, the Chiswick Riverside by-election candidate and Boris Johnson MP, the Conservative London mayoral candidate. Sayeeda Warsi, the Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion, and two local Councillors - John Todd and Felicity Barwood also joined us.

Andrew Dodge, the Chair of Governors, kindly welcomed us when we got there and introduced us to some great students. The sixth form gave us some tough questions.... but ones which were really important, including the real differences between Labour and Conservative, the role of leadership in politics and the ability of ID cards to improve national security. I was impressed with them ... they were thoughful and insightful. I am sure they will all go on to have great careers ahead of them.

Women at the heart of the Hounslow

Today I attended a conference at the Civic Centre in Hounslow - 'A Window on Extremism Conference' - led superbly by the Council Leader, Peter Thompson.

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, the youngest member of the House of Lords and the Shadow Cabinet member for Community Cohesion, gave a very personal speech on how to build cohesion in the UK. Using her own life journey, she talked about the need for us to unite around local issues, having a shared language, learning British history and empowering local communities.

We then went to see this in action - finding out the issues that the ethnic communities face and the support that is given to them. The Hounslow Racial Equality Council gave us an overview of the projects that they manage and the help that the Hounslow Asian Community Advice Service gives to local people. We then went to see an Asian women's group in Montague Hall - a wonderful group of women who gave us a warm welcome with music and song. Sayeeda spoke to them in several languages and although I hadn't a clue what she was saying, I am sure it was all good!

Community cohesion is about understanding each other, being at ease with one another, learning to trust each other, working together and feeling a sense of belonging. In the large group of Asian women today, I felt I belonged.