LONDON, UK—In a press statement, the Sikh Federation (UK) stated that according to a recent analysis, it was able to convince around two thirds of Sikhs in the UK to vote to stay in the European Union. UK Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union.“We have launched a social media campaign setting out the arguments for staying in the EU and hope to increase the number of Sikhs who will vote on 23 June to stay in the UK,” said Bhai Amrik Singh.
“We are also contributing to the wider public debate by taking a lead in setting out objective reasons to stay in the EU and encouraging those with opposing views to set out counter arguments on an issue by issue basis. Yesterday, we set out our arguments on jobs. Today we have set out our arguments on exports, trade and investment. Where possible we are also giving a Sikh perspective on the issues.”
Bhai Amrik Singh added, “In the coming days we will set out arguments on: Freedom to work, travel and live in other parts of the EU; Rights of employees; Human rights and the Environment. We will then deal with the issues of Immigration and Economic costs and bureaucracy. On these issues we have decided we cannot leave the arguments to the xenophobic anti immigrant far right or neo-liberal arguments and must take the lead.”
Bhai Narinderjit Singh, the General Secretary of the Sikh Federation (UK) said –
“We are building up a picture of why on balance staying in the EU is the best option for the wider community as well as Sikhs. The European Union is by no means perfect. There are many valid reasons for or against being a part of the European Union which revolve around individual and collective rights and societal issues.”
