One of the key announcements at the Sikh Lobby Day last week was the setting up of the first ever All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) working for British Sikhs. The announcement was made at a packed public meeting at the Houses of Parliament. The number of Sikhs taking part was so great that there was frantic activity to find a room large enough in Parliament to accommodate those wishing to attend. Many still remained standing for the entire two hour public meeting. At the announcement of the new British Sikhs APPG, the Sikh Federation (UK) confirmed the new group is expected to have a membership of over 100 MPs and Lords, when it formally elects its office bearers after the General Election. Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) said: "We believe this is a significant political development that has been welcomed by all the main political parties. The plan is for the group to be the focal point of all significant contacts between the UK Government and the Sikh community and will be set up so it can provide a rapid and positive response to all Sikh concerns." Politicians confirmed the success of the new parliamentary group is almost guaranteed as it is already receiving support from politicians across the political spectrum and at the highest levels. This is reflected by support from the leadership of opposition parties: Oliver Letwin MP, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Dominic Grieve MP, the Shadow Attorney General and Shadow Home Office Minister, Simon Hughes MP, the President of the Liberal Democrats, Rt. Hon. Menzies Campbell QC MP, the Deputy Leader and Shadow Foreign Secretary for the Liberal Democrats, and Alex Salmond MP, the Leader of the Scottish National Party. Labour Ministers John Spellar MP and Chris Pond MP who were present for the announcement confirmed the new group had tremendous potential to influence and shape government policies and practices towards the Sikhs and was a logical step forward. A member of the National Executive Council of the Sikh Federation (UK) said: "We are determined to make the British Sikhs APPG a success and make it work for the benefit of Sikhs. There is little doubt that the situation after the General Election will allow an energetic and high profile APPG to more easily persuade and convince the new Government about the needs of the Sikhs." Rob Marris MP, who chaired the meeting formally announced that the British Sikhs APPG would be set after the General Election and that this was consistent with the increasing demands from the Sikh community. Other speakers included: Alex Salmond MP, Dominic Grieve MP, Parmjit Singh Gill MP, Keith Vaz MP, Mark Todd MP, Dennis Turner MP, Sandra Gidley MP, John McDonnell MP, David Taylor MP, Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Adrian Bailey MP, Angela Watkinson MP, Nigel Jones MP, Andrew Tyrie MP and Lord Ahmed.