• AS someone who grew up in Kashmir and has fought all my life for its independence, I was dismayed to learn that my MP, the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, has unilaterally decided to change the party’s stance on the disputed territory.

In doing so he is not only ignoring the position taken by Labour’s annual conference last year, when members voted in support of Kashmir’s struggle for self-determination, he has also ignored the more than half a million Kashmiris who live in the UK.

Furthermore, by insisting that the fate of Kashmir is a bilateral matter between the two occupying powers, India and Pakistan, Sir Keir disregards the fact that the UN has historically supported Kashmiri demands for a referendum to decide our future.

After warring over the territory for more than 70 years, we know that neither India nor Pakistan have any intention of relinquishing any part of it voluntarily. Kashmir is now the most militarised zone in the world.

That Sir Keir has chosen to distance himself from his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn’s position at a time when India has stepped up its brutal occupation, with consequent human rights abuses and risk of increased conflict with Pakistan, speaks volumes.

By coming under the influence of Indian nationalist groups, he has turned his back on the people of Kashmir and betrayed Labour Party members like myself.

AFTAB KHAN
NW1