Exclusive Interview: The Armenian Community is Taken More Seriously and Given a Higher Level of Significance in UK Politics

• 05.07.2015, 17:16
•  Europe,  World

"Armedia" Information Analytical Agency presents an exclusive interview with Mr. Raffi Sarkissian, Co-chair of Armenian Genocide Centenary Commemoration Committee, UK, Chair of Campaign for Recognition of the Armenian Genocide, UK, Member of Armenian Community Council, UK

 

- Would you provide some general information on the Armenian community in UK? How much are the Armenians integrated into the internal life of UK? Are they united?

- The Armenian community in the UK has a very interesting background. It is believed that Armenians moved to England during Roman times. Later, because of the Armenian communities in India and their knowledge of language and trade, natural relationship started to develop between British merchants and Armenians. More prominent was the influx of Armenians from Constaniople who because of their involvement in cotton and textile trade travelled to Manchester. By 1860s there were established Armenian businesses in Manchester, who gradually realized the need for an Armenian church. Subsequently, they bought the land and after raising the funds built the Holy Trinity Armenian Church, on the corner of Upper brook Street. It should be noted that the Armenian community in Manchester, because of the above reasons and its prosperity, held a special place in the European Armenian Diaspora.

Armenians then either moved to London and other area in the UK from Manchester or arrived from troubled areas under the Ottoman rule. There were significant number of Armenians from Cyprus, Egypt and some from Syria and Lebanon. Later from 1970s due to the political instability in the Middle East, the Armenian community in London grew in numbers arriving from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and other countries.

Subsequently the number of Armenians in the UK soared from an estimated 13,000 in 1980s to around 32,000. Majority are centered in and around London, while smaller numbers are in Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Oxford and other cities.

The Armenian community in the UK consists of a broad spectrum. There is a significant number if highly educated and fully integrated people, who are actively involved in day to day politics, economics and the complexities of the wider society. From a member of the House of Lords (Professor Lord Darzi of Denham), who holds the Paul Hamlyn Chair of surgery at Imperial College and is one of the world’s leading surgeons at the Royal Marsden. Professor Darzi was knighted in 2002 by the Queen as a Night Commander of the most excellent order of the British Empire (KBE), and was appointed to Her Majesty’s Most Honorable Privy Council (PC), in 2009. He served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department of Health from 2007-09. Professor Darzi is the Chair of National Health Service Global and serves as the UK’s Global Ambassador for Health and Life Sciences. He was also appointed as a UK Business Ambassador in 2009.

Same could be said for a large number of very successful Armenian businessmen and merchants, lawyers, doctors, dentists and intellectuals. In contrast, there are also a significant number of community members who dedicate their time and effort in serving Armenian organizations, charities, Armenian Language schools, cultural organizations and pursuit of justice for the Armenian people who suffered the trauma of Genocide in the hands of the Ottoman Turkey.

It is also encouraging to see large numbers of Armenian students in post graduate and undergraduate studies at universities around the United Kingdom, covering a plethora of contemporary course. Over the recent fifteen - twenty years there has been a noticeable advancement in politicization of a sector of the community involved in local and international politics, by establishing lasting relationship with members of the Houses of Parliament. In a number of occasions the community has been mobilized to support members of parliament, who have been helpful and considerate by giving priority to what matters for Armenians. We have participated in election campaigns since early 1970s, be it the UK Parliament or the European Parliament. We have organized political rallies, visited homes of members of respective constituency campaigning for the election of candidates. More recently, we have also noticed an interest on behalf of politicians towards engaging and involving members of the Armenian Community in political affairs. In short, one could state that given the increase in number of Armenians in the UK as well as the establishment of close working relationship with politicians, it appears that we (the Armenian Community) are taken more seriously and given a higher level of significance in politics. This is an area that requires further development and attention.

 

-  How active do Armenian community participate in UK politics in general and in elections in particular? Which political party/ies do the Armenians affiliate? Why?

 

- As detailed above the process on politicization is improving, there has been examples of a select number of community members canvassing for parliamentary candidates prior to elections. We have actively and through the media encouraged the community to vote for candidates who support and promote the Armenian Community needs.

It would be difficult to qualify which political party Armenians affiliate with. As a 21^st Century society based in the UK, the Armenian community includes a broad spectrum of people engaged in all sorts of activities in the wider community. Therefore their affiliation usually would depend on their status in the society. This includes supporters of the Conservative party, a significant number following the Labour party and others. It should be noted that the Labour party and its candidates have been consistent supporters of the Armenian Community and the drive for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In fact it was thanks to the efforts and support of the Labour and Liberal Democrat councilors at Edinburgh City Council when in 2005 with a clear majority, they passed a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide and calling on Turkey to work towards reconciliation and mend its broken relationship with Armenia, building trust between the two nations.

A few of the younger generation members of the community have been involved and become members of political parties.  We have two Labour party members, who set an example and create a window into the political affairs of the country for the younger generation.

 

-  Which UK party/ies are more supportive to the Armenian community? How their supportiveness is expressed?

 

-  Clearly, the Labour paty has been more active in supporting the community’s needs. Headed by Mr Stephen Pound MP for Ealing, who for several years, has engaged with community leaders in various aspects including the Armenian cause, education and social needs, promoting the recognition of the Armenian Genocide at the Parliament, attending and supporting community events and so on. Similarly Dr Charles Tannock, Conservative member of the European Parliament has been very vocal and supportive of the Armenian Cause. Ms Angie Bray a Conservative Member of Parliament has also supported the community in West London.  Ms Bray attended the public procession outside St Paul’s Cathedral during the Centenary events in London. As a Diaspora community we work towards developing a practical relationship with parliamentary candidates without necessarily considering the affiliation of the respective candidate. Often it is the genuine approach of the individual concerned that creates a bond between us, rather than their political affiliation. This is a matter that takes a higher level of significance than their political affiliation.

 

- Are there Armenian candidates in the upcoming election? If not, what is it conditioned by? If yes, who are they? Which party do they represent and how high are their chances?

 

- As far as I am aware there are no Armenian candidates during these elections. We had a candidate during parliamentary elections of the previous term, who had worked for a Labour candidate for a number of years. I have been a supporter for involving Armenians in local politics from the younger age in order to learn the intricacies of political campaign and its respective complexities on national and international levels. This is a project that the community leadership needs to consider and promote.