“Thank you for being here, thank you for being part of Britain…This (referring to 10 Downing Street) is my home where I live and work. It is yours as much as everyone else’s.”
These were the words of Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the first Lunar New Year reception he hosted at Downing Street for the East and Southeast Asian community on 10 February. Despite the wet and cold weather, around 100 attendees from diverse sectors — including the civil service, charity, politics, technology, health, business, and arts and culture — gathered for the evening reception.
Among them were seven Filipinos led by Lotis Bautista, ward councillor for King’s Cross and chair of the East and Southeast Asians for Labour. They were joined by Myla Arceno, Labour councillor for Stevenage and an NHS physiotherapist, and Zahra Lee Spencer, a hospice manager and committee member of the same Labour group.
Liezel Longboan, founder and director of Tinig UK, reflected on the significance of the occasion. “Being in that room with others who trace their heritage to East and Southeast Asia reaffirmed our place in Britain’s migration history. The difference today? We are more visible. We are taking up space in all aspects of British life.”
Adrian Rabe, head of the Real World Evidence Centre of Excellence for Boehringer Ingelheim UK and Ireland, noted the Prime Minister’s recognition of the Asian community’s role in shaping a progressive and diverse Britain. He said Mr Starmer’s speech aligns “with Labour’s manifesto on enhanced migration routes that encourage the best and brightest in the world to come to the UK.”
The reception was not just about policy discussions and networking, it was also a celebration of culture. Dumpling’s Legend provided delicious dim sum, encouraging networking and conversation, while the Islington Chinese Association entertained everyone with their vibrant lion dance. “It was a warm, homey celebration,” Mr Rabe remarked. “It recalls a time when 10 Downing Street was open to the public, allowing ordinary citizens to feel physically closer to the government.”
For Froi Legaspi, lead organiser at Citizens UK, the event was an opportunity to foster unity among different East and Southeast Asian communities. “Only by working across differences can we build a stronger, more united nation—one that is ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century together.”
Mark Gadong, a Scrum product manager and founder of the East-Southeast Asian Employee Group at Sky, shared his thoughts on LinkedIn. “Making new friends in politics, discussing the immigration process for Filipinos (which me and my wife are both experiencing right now) as well as connecting with peers excelling in representing ESEA culture in their own fields reminded me that there is much more work to do; but we are being seen and it makes the effort worthwhile.”
The event at 10 Downing Street underscored the growing visibility of Filipinos and other East and Southeast Asians in Britain, highlighting their contributions and the importance of continued engagement in the country’s social and political landscape.
