Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK, invited faith leaders from different traditions to join him for breakfast on Thursday, November 14th.

Visakha Dasi, representing ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor, was pleased to hear Mr Starmer emphasise the importance of faith to the fabric of UK society. “That was especially evident”, Mr Starmer said, “during the pandemic when great numbers of people turned to places of worship for shelter and solace in a time of international uncertainty”.

Mr Starmer said that his administration didn’t want to wait for a crisis before dialoging and working with faith groups. Rather, he wants to establish and have ongoing relationships between the government and those diverse groups. He acknowledged their profound benefit to society in terms of their humanitarian work, instilling ethical and moral behaviour, creating community, and offering peace to the minds and hearts of the people.

A number of the faith leaders present spoke briefly, addressing the need to include and encourage young people to participate, the need for spiritual education, and the need of a culture in the UK where it’s perfectly acceptable for faith to be expressed differently in different traditions.

As the meeting concluded, Mr Starmer promised to have another, follow up, one in about six months. And before he left the room, Visakha Dasi gave him a container with kheer (or Keir!) from the temple to enjoy with his breakfast.

That same evening there was another meeting in the House of Lords, organised by Faith in Labour, which was presided over by Sir Stephen Timms MP and Baroness Sherlock. That was also attended by devotees.