Becomes the first British party to commit itself on outlawing caste discrimination

Britain’s Liberal Democrats party published its manifesto on Wednesday, including a commitment to work towards outlawing caste discrimination and re-introducing a post-study work visa for graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The party is yet to publish further details on its position on caste, though is the first party to commit publicly itself on a sensitive and divisive issue for Britain’s South Asian diaspora. Though Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has in the past been a strong supporter of anti-caste discrimination legislation, it was not included in the party’s manifesto.

“CasteWatchUK welcomes the Liberal Democrats manifesto commitment to outlaw caste discrimination. Provision to outlaw already exists in the Equalities Act 2010, but successive governments have failed to implement that provision despite people in Britain continuing to be affected by this pernicious form of discrimination,” said Sat Pal Muman, chair of CasteWatchUk.

Defending rights

“It is good to see Liberal Democrats living up to their values to defend rights, promote justice and equality with a firm manifesto commitment on this issue in contrast to other parties.”

In late March, the U.K. government launched a consultation on whether caste should be introduced as an aspect of race in anti-caste discrimination legislation. However, some campaigners have pointed to “serious shortfalls” in the structure of the consultation and argue it is “biased” against bringing in legislation.

While the party has pegged the wider campaign around its opposition to single market exit and a “hard Brexit”, it includes a pledge to making the “positive case for immigration” and reducing hate crimes by allowing the harsher sentencing of perpetrators.

Like Labour they have committed to removing students from immigration statistics and ensuring Britain was an attractive destination for overseas students. “We will reinstate post-study work visas for graduate in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math’s subjects who find suitable employment within six months of graduating,” the manifesto says. The party would also push for an annual debate in parliament on skill and labour market shortfalls to “identify the migration necessary to meet the U.K.’s needs.” It also pledged more spending towards English as an additional language classes to help migrants and residents.

Unveiling the “Change Britain’s Future” manifesto, Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron pledged to fight against a “hard Brexit,” and to challenge the government on issues ranging from healthcare to schooling. He said the party would not enter into coalition with either the Labour or the Conservatives. “This election is your opportunity to change Britain’s future — by changing the opposition.”