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EDM tabled to support the establishment of Tamil Heritage Month in the UK

An Early Day Motion (EDM) was tabled by UK MPs to support the establishment of a Tamil Heritage Month in the UK.

The full text reads:

That this House supports the establishment of a Tamil Heritage Month which would provide an annual opportunity to celebrate the contribution of the Tamil diaspora in the UK; notes that Canada holds a similar, highly successful Tamil Heritage Month; recognises that there are more than 300,000 Tamils living in the UK contributing substantially to the betterment of our economy and country; further notes the richness of Tamil culture; and recognises the benefits of such a month for raising awareness and understanding the Tamil community in the UK.

The EDM has gained cross party support. The following Members have signed to support the motion; Gareth Thomas Labour MP for Harrow West, Siobhain McDonagh Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden, Wes Streeting Labour MP for Ilford North, Jim Shannon Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP for Strangford, Sir Peter Bottomley Conservative MP for Worthing West, Sir Mike Penning Conservative MP for Hemel Hempstead, Allan Dorans Scottish National Party (SNP) MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, Chris Stephens SNP MP for Glasgow South West, Bob Blackman Conservative MP for Harrow East, Grahame Morris Labour MP for Easington, Alison Thewliss SNP MP for Glasgow Central, Chris Law SNP MP for Dundee West, David Linden SNP MP for Glasgow East, Christine Jardine Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, Sam Tarry Labour MP for Ilford South and Mary Glindon Labour MP for North Tyneside.

In Canada, following a unanimous decision in the House of Commons, a resolution was passed in 2016 to declare January as Tamil Heritage Month. Since then, January has seen numerous events take place across the country with community leaders and politicians attending and paying tribute to Tamil Canadians.

 

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