Current Events
Amandeep Singh Bhogal Throws Hat In The Ring In Northern Ireland Elections
NEWS REPORTS
31-year-old Amandeep Singh Bhogal, born in Jalandhar, Punjab, is already making his mark on the campaign in the General Elections in Northern Ireland (scheduled for May 7, 2015).
He is running for the Conservative party in his trademark blue turban, and represents the Upper Bann constituency in the heart of Northern Ireland, which is 54 per cent Protestant and deeply Christian and churchgoing.
“The Conservatives want to end sectarian politics in Northern Ireland and introduce some real normal politics,” he said.
While Amandeep’s candidacy is attracting widespread media interest, he has an uphill battle against the incumbent, David Simpson of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
“We have a long-term electoral plan,” Amandeep said in reference to his decision to stand from what is seen as a difficult fight.
“Together we can in Upper Bann,” is the slogan he has coined and has had T-shirts printed with it.
Politics seems to be a passion for Amandeep, who has moved to Northern Ireland from Kent in England where he grew up.
In 2012, he contested the London Assembly elections alongside current mayor Boris Johnson, who he credits for giving him valuable “never to give up” advice.
Amandeep’s grandfather came to the UK in 1959 to “achieve better in life, not just to make extra money”.
Amandeep is married to Pari Kaur since he was 19, and the couple have a daughter Sukhmani Kaur, 10, and son Arjun Singh, 4.
With just four weeks to go until polling day, the campaign is yet to fully ignite in Northern Ireland’s 18 constituencies represented in the House of Commons.
Some poll pundits predict that the DUP could play the role of kingmaker in the event of a hung Parliament verdict across the UK.
The Conservatives hope to achieve a breakthrough in the region, which is historically divided along Catholic and Protestant lines.
The Tories are fielding 16 candidates in the region, with 11 – including Amandeep – hailing from England and Scotland.
April 11, 2015
Conversation about this article
1: Tony Singh (Canada), April 11, 2015, 12:10 PM.
Balley, shera! Chakk dey phatte! Plant our flag in Northern Ireland as we have done in every part of the world.