Organised for the community press, we  had a fantastic Bengali launch of the European election campaign on Thursday.  Parvez Ahmed, owner of the Shamrat restaurant in Kilburn High Road, put on an event to be proud of, providing lunch for 70 – 80 people.  Thanks to Parvez for all his work and commitment to Labour, which goes back many years.  I remeber Parvez putting on a similar event during the European election campaign in 2004 and I know he has done very many other things for the Labour Party over time.

Following an introduction to the Euro campaign by Baroness Delith Morgan, who I have known for many years as we were both involved in children’s charities in our past lives, we were treated to the star of the show – a presentation to my colleague and friend, retiring MEP Robert Evans.  The Bengali community had organised a trophy plaque with a beautiful inscription thanking him for all the work he has done for them.  Congratulations Robert and very well deserved.

The event was attended by a star-studded cast – local MPs Glenda Jackson and Dawn Butler, local councillors including  Lena Ahmed, Euro MPs and candidates Claude Moraes, Anne Fairweather, Raj Jethwa, Abdul Asad as well as what seemed like the whole of the Bengali media.

I enjoyed the curry very much.  Congratulations also to the chef!