The upcoming UK general election, set for July 4, is notable for its unprecedented number of British Tamil candidates. Among those vying for a seat is Uma Kumaran, who aims to become one of the Tamil MPs in Britain.
Uma Kumaran, a daughter of Sri Lankan Tamil immigrants, is contesting to be the Labour Party’s Member of Parliament for the London Borough of Harrow. Born in London and raised in Harrow, Kumaran emphasizes her strong family ties to Sri Lanka and the influence of her heritage on her political journey.
Kumaran holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Politics and a Master of Science (MSc) in Public Policy, both from Queen Mary University of London. She is multilingual, speaking Tamil, Sinhala, English, French, and German.
On her official website, Kumaran highlights her family's escape from the civil war in Sri Lanka, crediting Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn for his efforts in helping them settle in Britain. "My parents fled to Britain in the midst of a civil war. Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn worked tirelessly to help them settle here. They have since worked hard to rebuild their lives and raise a family in Harrow," she shares.
Kumaran's late grandfather was a pioneering civil servant who joined the front lines of trade union picket lines to defend workers’ rights, a legacy that deeply influences her values. "It’s these values that I was brought up on," she states.
She expresses her commitment to the community in Harrow, which she describes as the most diverse borough in the country and a model for multicultural Britain. "The community in Harrow has given me, my family, and so many others everything – I’m determined to stand up for thousands of people like us against this Tory government. It’s a wonderful place to live, the most diverse borough in the country and a model for all the great things multicultural Britain can achieve," Kumaran says.
She attended Mary Queen's and has a distinguished career, having worked for the current Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and served as Director of Diplomatic Relations for a global climate organization.
Her family's history is deeply rooted in activism. Her grandfather, an early union member in Jaffna, was temporarily evicted from his home for joining a trade union protest advocating for the rights of sanitation workers. This experience, Uma says, ignited his passion for public service, a trait that runs in her family.
Reflecting on her family's displacement due to the war in Sri Lanka, Uma shares a personal sorrow: "The war changed the course of my parents' lives. We have become a displaced people from every corner of the world. I feel it more acutely at the moment. My mother passed away earlier this month. I could not go to Australia in time for her funeral and then come back for campaigning. I feel more acutely why we are separated by oceans.”
Uma stresses that her entry into politics is not seen as a career move but a call to serve, driven by her family's legacy of activism and public service. She is vocal about the lack of accountability for the war crimes committed in Sri Lanka in May 2009 and before, emphasizing the ongoing impact on Tamil communities.
“The devastation, loss of life, and loss of land will never be forgotten,” she states. Uma highlights the importance of acknowledging history, even its painful parts, as a generation grows up bearing the scars of war, both mental and physical.
Uma Kumaran, a daughter of Sri Lankan Tamil immigrants, is contesting to be the Labour Party’s Member of Parliament for the London Borough of Harrow. Born in London and raised in Harrow, Kumaran emphasizes her strong family ties to Sri Lanka and the influence of her heritage on her political journey.
Kumaran holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Politics and a Master of Science (MSc) in Public Policy, both from Queen Mary University of London. She is multilingual, speaking Tamil, Sinhala, English, French, and German.
On her official website, Kumaran highlights her family's escape from the civil war in Sri Lanka, crediting Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn for his efforts in helping them settle in Britain. "My parents fled to Britain in the midst of a civil war. Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn worked tirelessly to help them settle here. They have since worked hard to rebuild their lives and raise a family in Harrow," she shares.
Kumaran's late grandfather was a pioneering civil servant who joined the front lines of trade union picket lines to defend workers’ rights, a legacy that deeply influences her values. "It’s these values that I was brought up on," she states.
She expresses her commitment to the community in Harrow, which she describes as the most diverse borough in the country and a model for multicultural Britain. "The community in Harrow has given me, my family, and so many others everything – I’m determined to stand up for thousands of people like us against this Tory government. It’s a wonderful place to live, the most diverse borough in the country and a model for all the great things multicultural Britain can achieve," Kumaran says.
She attended Mary Queen's and has a distinguished career, having worked for the current Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and served as Director of Diplomatic Relations for a global climate organization.
Her family's history is deeply rooted in activism. Her grandfather, an early union member in Jaffna, was temporarily evicted from his home for joining a trade union protest advocating for the rights of sanitation workers. This experience, Uma says, ignited his passion for public service, a trait that runs in her family.
Reflecting on her family's displacement due to the war in Sri Lanka, Uma shares a personal sorrow: "The war changed the course of my parents' lives. We have become a displaced people from every corner of the world. I feel it more acutely at the moment. My mother passed away earlier this month. I could not go to Australia in time for her funeral and then come back for campaigning. I feel more acutely why we are separated by oceans.”
Uma stresses that her entry into politics is not seen as a career move but a call to serve, driven by her family's legacy of activism and public service. She is vocal about the lack of accountability for the war crimes committed in Sri Lanka in May 2009 and before, emphasizing the ongoing impact on Tamil communities.
“The devastation, loss of life, and loss of land will never be forgotten,” she states. Uma highlights the importance of acknowledging history, even its painful parts, as a generation grows up bearing the scars of war, both mental and physical.
