Chinese for Labour recently hosted a conversation with David Miliband and an invited audience at the Institute of Directors. The audience included members from the Chinese community, the Chinese media, students, businesses and representatives from the Chinese embassy.

Mark Hendrick MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary China Group. Hendrick said "The Group which was established in 1997 is to deepen and widen the relationship with China in general and with the National People's Congress specifically. It participates in regular exchanges with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties and promotes dialogue and discussion on issues such as governance, the rule of law, parliamentary procedure and democracy."

Sonny Leong, Chair of Chinese for Labour reminded the audience of the May elections and said "The May general election gave us no overall winner, resulting in a coalition government. Let us not kid ourselves for one moment, this is a Tory government with the Lib Dems having cameo roles. If you think the last Tory government was bad, you have not seen anything yet. This Tory government is more ideological and right wing than the last.

For many of you lucky ones, who were not born yet and for those who have not yet come to this country, let me remind you of what happened –

• the last Conservative government destroyed communities across the country;

• said unemployment was a price worth paying;

• riots on the streets;

• patients sleeping on hospital trolleys because there weren't enough beds;

• school buildings literally falling apart;

• teachers, doctors, nurses and the police totally demoralised and leaving the professions.

These were only some of what happened. This present Tory Government is using the Lib-Dems to cover their nastiness under the progressive and fairness banner to expound their ideology.

Some of you here this evening will lose your job, your house will be repossessed, and if you are unfortunate to need medical treatment, you will have to wait much longer.

There is nothing progressive or fair about this government:

• It is not progressive raising VAT to 20% affecting the poor more than the well off;

• It is not progressive scrapping free school meals

• It is not progressive cutting housing benefit;

• It is not progressive cancelling the Future Jobs Fund

• It is not fair leaving 180.000 A Level students stranded with no university places

• It is not progressive dismantling Child Trust Fund

• It is not fair cutting Winter Fuel Allowance

It is definitely not progressive to say to the world's second largest economy that we do not want a 'special relationship' with you – just a 'close engagement'. All previous Conservative governments had a mistrust of China and this present government is no different.

David Miliband highlighted the important role China plays on the international stage as an economic and political power and a member of the UN Security Council.

As western economies were in danger of freefalling due to the banking crises, countries such as China and India were crucial economic engines which helped to buffer the recession.

David also recognised that China has a leading role to play in addressing climate change and avoiding the mistakes of western industrialisation. He recognised the 'special and deepening relationship' the previous Labour Government has built up with China, which he personally played a key role as Foreign Secretary.

He cited his disappointment at the Coalition Government's approach to China, merely reducing it to a trading and economic partnership.

The evening ended with a lively question and answer session with David covering such diverse issues as access to higher education, immigration, jobs and skills required by the Chinese catering industry, the inequalities and poverty gap and access to justice.

David gave frank, intelligent and inspiring answers which demonstrated his depth of knowledge across a wide range of policy issues. This clearly highlighted a number of attributes which are required from a Leader of the Labour Party as well as from a future Prime Minister.

He also reiterated and is confident that the first MP of Chinese origin in Britain will be under a Labour Party banner and will work with Chinese for Labour to achieve that.

The evening concluded with Chinese for Labour supporting David Miliband as its candidate in the Leadership race. In return, David signed up to the three Chinese for Labour pledges, if he is elected as the Labour Party Leader:

• have bi-annual meetings with representatives from the Chinese community and work with Chinese for Labour to ensure that its voice is heard

• endeavour to build a broad and deep Chinese representation starting in local government and then getting candidates to run for winnable seats in Westminster elections

• ensure that members of the Chinese community are properly and publicly recognised for their contributions

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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