SME4Labour hosted an energising and heartfelt reception on 19 November in the Jubilee Room, bringing together Labour Friends Groups, community leaders, councillors, parliamentarians, and supporters from across the Labour movement. The event celebrated Labour’s achievements in government and highlighted the Party’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its partnership with the business community and diaspora groups across the UK.

The evening was graciously hosted by Catherine Atkinson MP, whose warm welcome set the tone for a gathering defined by unity, purpose, and shared ambition. Catherine emphasised the importance of empowering diverse Labour networks and of ensuring that every community — and every small business — has a voice at the centre of Labour’s economic vision.

 Inspiring Speakers from Labour’s Global and Community Networks

The reception brought together leaders from across Labour’s vibrant Friends Groups, each offering powerful reflections on representation, partnership and progress:

• Rushanara Ali MP — offered thoughtful insights on Labour’s achievements in government and the essential role of diverse communities in shaping Britain’s future.

• Howard Dawber — Deputy Mayor of London, representing Labour Friends of Bangladesh — shared an inspiring message about community empowerment, business engagement and London’s role as a global hub of culture and enterprise.

• Farhan Farani — Commonwealth Labour — spoke about the importance of strengthening ties across Commonwealth communities and deepening Labour’s engagement with international and diaspora voices.

• Cllr Shahid Nadeem — Chair, Pakistanis for Labour — highlighted the contributions of British-Pakistani communities and the vital importance of political inclusion and economic opportunity.

• Ali Milani — Labour Muslim Network — emphasised the importance of political representation, youth engagement, and building trust across communities.

• Fatima Kamara — 1987 Committee — reflected on the continued importance of racial justice, equality and elevating underrepresented voices within Labour.

• Chris Wongsosaputro — South & East Asians for Labour, and LIFT (Labour for Industry, Finance & Trade) — spoke passionately about the role of small businesses, industry leadership and cross-community collaboration in driving economic growth.

Strengthening the Bonds Between Communities, SMEs and Labour

Throughout the evening, speakers echoed a shared message: Labour’s strength comes from its diversity, its grassroots foundations, and its commitment to fairness and opportunity for all. With representatives from across diaspora groups, business sectors and local government, the event demonstrated how deeply interconnected Britain’s communities are with the health and dynamism of the SME sector.

Attendees had the opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and explore collaborative initiatives — from supporting entrepreneurship to deepening engagement with underrepresented communities.

A Night of Collaboration, Conversation and Celebration

The atmosphere was energising, inclusive and hopeful. Voices from across the Labour family came together to celebrate shared achievements, acknowledge ongoing challenges, and reaffirm a collective commitment to building a fairer, more dynamic economy.

The reception highlighted what Labour does best: bringing people together — across backgrounds, sectors and communities — to create real change and shape a future built on opportunity, dignity and shared prosperity.