British MP Uma Kumaran shared a heartfelt account of her parents’ journey from Sri Lanka to Britain during her maiden speech in the British Parliament. Reflecting on their struggles and achievements, Kumaran emphasized their role in Britain’s success story.
Elected in May 2024 as Labour’s candidate for the newly created Stratford and Bow constituency, Kumaran made history with her speech. Born in East London after her parents fled the armed conflict in Sri Lanka, she acknowledged their resilience and sacrifices.
In her address, Kumaran described herself as the daughter of Tamil refugees who endured prejudice and persecution. She honored her parents, who, she said, sacrificed everything to provide her with a better future. Her parents, present in the Parliament during her speech, were hailed for their hard work and determination in rebuilding their lives in the UK.
Kumaran highlighted that her parents’ journey began with fleeing for their lives 40 years ago, and they eventually became proud British citizens. Despite having to restart their lives from scratch and working tirelessly in various jobs, they were welcomed by Britain and were able to prosper.
