• Welcome to all New Sikh Philosophy Network Forums!
    Explore Sikh Sikhi Sikhism...
    Sign up Log in

UK Amandeep Singh Bhogal - First Indian-origin Sikh Politician To Contest Uk General Elections

Admin

SPNer
Jun 1, 2004
6,689
5,244
SPN
A 31-year-old Sikh politician will be the first Indian-origin candidate to contest in the UK General Elections from Northern Ireland on May 7. Amandeep Singh Bhogal, who was born in Jalandhar, is already making his mark on the campaign trail for the Conservative party in his trademark blue turban.

Amandeep Singh Bhogal.jpg


He represents the Upper Bann constituency in the heart of Northern Ireland, which is 54 per cent Protestant and deeply Christian and churchgoing.

“The Conservatives want to end sectarian politics in Northern Ireland and introduce some real normal politics,” he said.

While Bhogal’s candidacy is attracting widespread media interest, he is not expected to win the seat, which is currently held by David Simpson of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

“We have a long-term electoral plan,” Bhogal said in reference to his decision to stand from what is seen as an un-winnable seat.

“Together we can in Upper Bann,” is the slogan he has coined and has had T-shirts printed with it.

Politics seems to a passion for Bhogal, who has moved to Northern Ireland from Kent in England where he grew up.

Over the years, he has put in bids to stand for no fewer than 45 parliamentary seats.

In 2012, he contested the London Assembly elections alongside current mayor Boris Johnson, who he credits for giving him valuable “never to give up” advice.

Bhogal’s grandfather came to the UK in 1959 to “achieve better in life, not just to make extra money”.

He was married to Pari when he was 19 at a ceremony in Punjab and the couple have a daughter Sukhamani, 10, and son Arjun, 4.

With just four weeks to go until polling day, the campaign is yet to fully ignite in Northern Ireland’s 18 constituencies represented in the House of Commons.

Some poll pundits predict that the DUP could play the role of kingmaker in the event of a hung Parliament verdict.

The Conservatives are unlikely to achieve a great breakthrough in the region, which is historically divided along Catholic and Protestant lines.

The Tories are fielding 16 candidates in the region, with 11 – including Bhogal – parachuted in from England and Scotland.
 
Sep 19, 2013
132
287
32
Nottingham
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki fateh.

Just to correct the title/heading, this is not the first Singh to contest a UK general election, there have been other Sikh candidates before. He is the first to contest in Northern Ireland, which is an achievement in itself. As the article says though the Conservative Party is not very important or popular in NI.
 

Tejwant Singh

Mentor
Writer
SPNer
Jun 30, 2004
5,028
7,188
Henderson, NV.
Tories have nothing in common with the Sikh values and even much less with NI politics. Just remember Thatcher, lovingly known with her fascist name, The Iron Lady. In order to become an MP, he should have tried the lower levels first, like the councilman or something of that nature
 
Last edited:

❤️ CLICK HERE TO JOIN SPN MOBILE PLATFORM

❤️ CLICK HERE TO JOIN SPN MOBILE PLATFORM

📌 For all latest updates, follow the Official Sikh Philosophy Network Whatsapp Channel:
Top