LONDON (Diya TV) —Britain’s first turbaned Sikh Member of Parliament Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Defence Committee in the newly convened Parliament. He was chosen for the position with 320 votes in a ballot held Wednesday against the opposing vote of 243 from fellow Labour MP Derek Twigg.
Dhesi said: “I am delighted to have been elected Chair of the Defence Committee. I’d like to thank my colleagues across the House for placing their confidence in me.” He told of his determination to help tackle the changing face of threats to national security: “The threats we face at home and abroad are growing in both scale and complexity. As Defence Committee Chair, I will focus on ensuring our nation can rise to these challenges. I will be a voice in Parliament for Armed Forces personnel and veterans-brave individuals who make an invaluable contribution to our safety and security.”
The Defence Committee is one of the most important parliamentary committees on armed forces oversight in the UK, so being a part of shaping defense policy and debating military and security-related issues basically makes a member of the committee one of the leading actors in such spheres. Dhesi’s being elected to such an esteemed position is a milestone in his political career, showing that he is not a lame duck in Parliament.
Tarlochan Singh, former Indian MP on a visit to the UK, congratulated Dhesi on his appointment. Singh said, “Dhesi becoming the Chairman of the prestigious Parliamentary Committee dealing with the army, air force and naval services is a tribute to his role in the previous two parliaments. Having been a Member of Parliament in India, I understand the importance of Parliamentary Committees. The UK Parliament and Government have shown their confidence in Dhesi’s ability.”
