Lord Tarsem Singh King passed away on 9th January whilst on his way from the House of Lords to his home in Sandwell, West Midlands.
Words cannot express the shock and sadness felt by his family, friends and by the local people of his sudden death. Lord King was no ordinary human being; he was a compassionate, caring egalitarian with a witty sense of humour and an incisive mind. He was a real gentleman with an eye on the bigger picture and a true fighter for the voiceless in our society. He championed the causes of his local people through 40 years in local politics and rising to leading the local Council in Sandwell as its leader in the 1990’s. Recognised for his leadership qualities and sense of fair play, he was elevated to the House of Lords as a Labour Peer in 1999, on the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Sikh faith, as the very first Sikh to grace the floor of the Upper House.
From spearheading the establishing of the historic twinning relationship with the holy city of Amritsar, India with Sandwell MBC to leading and hosting campaigns at the House of Lords and at International settings across Europe, Asia and North America. He was especially eager to see gender equality and tolerance between peoples of different faiths and had a dislike of macho culture amongst parts of his own community and what he termed forces that stifled progress. An incident that illustrated his own commitment to challenge this was once when a young Parliamentary Conservative candidate – a female Asian political opponent in the Midlands was excluded and isolated in the community, he warmly welcomed her in front of the community and away from party political politics and reaching out to a person’s humanity. He was less bothered by people’s labels or status than their qualities as human beings and their potential. That Conservative opponent has gone on to become a Baroness in her own right and remembers the kindness showed by Lord King to her during this particular incident. There are countless other similar examples of kindness and incisive action that many of you reading this will have to share.
The early experiences in his early 20’s of warmth of people and in part of institutional racism in the newly adopted home Britain away from his land of birth Panjab, India was to shape his outlook for the rest of his life. A very talented and motivated Tarsem put himself through formal higher education in the UK and then went on to teach in schools and eventually establishing his own successful business. A very disciplined and focused individual who was dedicated to the cause of bringing about change through working with people, mentoring and inspiring people from all walks of life and backgrounds. Whether it was locally working as the Chair of the local constituency Labour Party to facilitating seminars at the House of Lords to participating in International conferences on a range of topics including the plight of street children to the violation and abuse of women here in the UK and abroad in countries such as India and in Africa. He hosted the UN International Women’s Day annually at the House of Lords and was at the forefront of making a difference through action and not just words.
For the last seven years through my role as a researcher and as well an adviser on topics such as international affairs especially concerning Turkey and Germany for Lord King, I came into close contact with many of his close friends and colleagues. What struck me most was that people that surrounded Lord King were equally motivated and Tom Watson MP being a typical example as Sandwell’s own local passionate campaigner for fairness and justice but now on the National/International stage.
It was an honour to have known Lord King as a family friend and a true gentleman. Many of those who have been inspired, touched and indeed motivated by his actions will go on to espouse his vision of public service and world peace, in their own unique way. Today people of Sandwell, House of Lords and the international community are richer for his contribution to furthering human understanding and lasting world peace.
My heartfelt condolences go to his son Raj, his wife Nishpal, to his two young grandchildren and the ever supportive Lady Mohinder Kaur King. Side by side they both have made enormous contribution in building bridges between people and strengthening a sense of community, for which we will be eternally grateful.
I will remember him as a real gentleman who had always a positive and a unique vision for our world.
His spirit and wisdom will live on.
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Semra Eren-Nijhar 