‘Absolutely committed to justice’ - Keir Starmer’s speech to British Tamils in Downing Street

Starmer said his government is “absolutely committed to supporting efforts towards equality, truth, and justice” in Sri Lanka
Starmer said his government is “absolutely committed to supporting efforts towards equality, truth, and justice” in Sri Lanka

Starmer Pongal

 

In remarks delivered to British Tamils at a reception to celebrate Thai Pongal on Monday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the contribution of the community and said his government is “absolutely committed to supporting efforts towards equality, truth, and justice” in Sri Lanka.

Read the full text of his speech below.

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Good evening!

It’s fantastic to see you. Pongal Valthukal.

It’s really fantastic just to look around this room and see you all here in Downing Street.
Yes, it is my house. Yes, it is the centre of government. But it’s where you should be as well—not just as guests, but here to put your fingerprints on what we do as a government.
So it’s a real pleasure to welcome you here, to see you all in this room. And treat this place like your house just as much as it is my house.

You know, there’s a huge contribution of the Tamil community to our nation, and I’m so proud of Uma, our first Tamil MP. That was such a moment—elected in July and already doing such a fantastic job representing your constituency, your community, and your country.
Looking beyond the walls of Westminster, here tonight in this room we have people who serve; in our NHS, in our schools, on businesses, and in so many other areas of our national life.

So thank you. Thank you for what you give to this country. Thank you for joining us here in Downing Street tonight as we celebrate Thai Pongal. Thank you for being here.

And with it, all this festival symbolises. The beautiful Kolam that you will have seen, I think, on the way in—that is a symbol of you being welcome in this building. That’s what I mean by welcoming you in, welcoming you to this country. Whether you trace your heritage back to India or Sri Lanka, I know that for some in this room, that history comes with suffering and pain. So I just want to take this opportunity to say this: you are not just welcome—you are a vital part of our nation. And we are proud that you call Britain home.

Now, I promised that this would be a government of service. The day after the election, I stood outside No. 10 and said we would be a government of service. And that service—that sense of service—runs in the bones of the British Tamil community. Just like the Pongal Pot, the richness and the generosity of the Tamil community overflows, bringing light and hope to the entire country.

Your history, your heritage, reminds us all of our need for community and solidarity—celebrating, as we do, the many things we can be grateful for, and offering us hope for the future.
Because this celebration, that we are marking tonight, is one of hope and thanks: that the harvest will bring with it abundance, security, and prosperity.
And that is what this government is determined to deliver for every person. A country where service is respected, aspiration is recognised, and your hard work is rewarded.

With higher living standards across the country, an NHS that is not just back on its feet, but fit for the future—and I’m very pleased the Health Secretary is here with us this evening, working so hard on that vital project. Clean British energy that provides good jobs. Safer streets, building respect across communities. 

Good, affordable new houses. How important is that? So the dream of home ownership can be a reality for the next generation. Making sure children have the opportunities they deserve—because we all know, and you understand this well, that education is the key to success. As Uma has pointed out, my parents knew that. And when I became the first person in my family to go to university, they were so very proud. I know that for many of you, your parents or grandparents may have come to the UK and encouraged you and your children—the whole community—to get the best education possible. 

Because they believed, you believe, like my parents did—and like I do—in a better future for our children. Not just here at home, but around the world. Especially back in Sri Lanka, where this government is absolutely committed to supporting efforts towards equality, truth, and justice. So Tamils can look towards a better and more secure future in Sri Lanka… and here in Britain.

Thank you for enriching our nation.

Let us hope and work together for a new season of light and abundance this Thai Pongal.
 

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