Ealing Liberal Democrats have taken part and celebrated the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush which saw people from the Caribbean come to Britain to help rebuild it.
A special Windrush 75 event in Ealing at Soane’s Kitchen at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery saw people sharing Windrush stories from different generations and what it means along with the contribution Windrush arrivals have made to British society.
In a statement, Ealing Liberal Democrats said: “These pioneers came to explore a new life in the UK and filled many post war roles in the NHS, the public and private sector, where there were labour shortages.
“They have been an essential part of creating a multicultural society in Ealing where over 52% of residents born outside of the UK and over 26% of Ealing residents are Black, Caribbean, African or mixed ethnic groups.
“They have provided vital support and resources, bringing diversity and new approaches which the UK needed in 1945 and which continues to this day.
“They form an essential component of making Ealing one of the most diverse and culturally rich boroughs in the UK.”
Liberal Democrat Councillor Connie Hersch, community spokesperson, who attended the special event in Ealing to mark the Windrush 75th anniversary said: “Along with Liberal Democrat Baroness Floella Benjamin, I would like to welcome the arrival of the Windrush and the vital contribution made by Caribbean people to Britain and Ealing, on this 75th anniversary and celebrate their essential role in creating the vibrant and diverse borough of Ealing. It was great to hear the stories told by those residents who came from the Windrush generation. We must welcome new communities and involve them in decisions that affect us all.”
Councillor Hersch added: “Liberal Democrats will keep fighting for the rights of those impacted by the Windrush Scandal – and to scrap the cruel, ineffective Hostile Environment policies that caused the scandal in the first place. We will keep standing up to bigotry, hate and racial injustice that is far too commonplace in our country.”
In a statement on the events that took place in the borough to mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush, Councillor Callum Anderson, Ealing’s Cabinet Aide for Windrush 75 said: “This important anniversary allows Ealing to give thanks to the generation of people who left their homes in the Caribbean to answer the call to help re-build a Britain devastated by war. They and their families have contributed so much to what is good about Britain. They played a crucial role supporting the establishment of our NHS and the restoration of our national industries and infrastructure. I am delighted that we are recognising these contributions as a borough together.”
Councillor Anderson added: “75 years on, Ealing is fortunate that members of this generation, and their descendants, created organisations such as the United Anglo-Caribbean Society which has been in the borough for over 50 years and Descendants which continue to contribute so much to enrich our borough.”
