The MP for Bracknell has complained about being cancelled by a University of Reading society for not being diverse enough.
James Sunderland was due to address the students’ union politics society, following in the footsteps of guests such as Labour MPs Emily Thornberry and Jess Phillips and Conservative MP Tom Tugenhat.
But his invitation was revoked, and he raised this during an appearance during an interview with Esther McVey, the Conservative MP for Tatton, on GB News.
“I was booked to appear in front of the Reading university politics association,” he said. “It was a good event I believe; they have a regular slot for MPs to come and talk to them and we spent the last two months nailing the date.
“And to my complete astonishment this week what’s happened is that I was basically cancelled.
“I had an email from the guy who leads the event to say my services were no longer required.”
Mr Sunderland then read out the ‘cancellation’ email, which appeared to suggest that he was no longer welcome due to his stance on immigration.
The email cited that the society had ‘such a successful event’ with Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough, that newly interested students would be put off by Mr Sunderland.
The email’s author said the society felt it “inappropriate to bring in someone who’s views on immigration conflict with the ethos of the society”.
Additionally, it states that Mr Dhesi’s appearance was successful as many students liked that the society had brought in an MP who “looked like them”.
Mr Dhesi was born in Slough in 1978 to Sikh Punjabi Indian parents.
Mr Sunderland said: “I thought it was outrageous and shocking, not only the language being used, it was clearly drawing attention to the difference in how I look as the White male with Tan Dhesi who is a great friend of mine from neighbouring Slough.”
In a tweet, Mr Sunderland added: “Bemused to have been ‘cancelled’ by @UniofReading this week. There is no place for racial intolerance, political sanctimony or bias in our academic institutions. And those who silence others because they do not agree just need to grow up. Such odious ‘cancel culture’ harms us all.”
In his response to the student who cancelled the appearance, Mr Sunderland said: “Not only is your email ill-informed and discriminatory at best, it also runs contrary to the principles of your own group.”
A spokesperson for the university said Mr Sunderland has been reinvited to speak by the society.
“We understand that the issue relates to the scheduling of an event planned to take place during the student exam period, and the student politics society has since contacted Mr Sunderland to invite him to a later date,” they added.
“The University has a long history of encouraging debate and discussion. We welcome people of all backgrounds and political viewpoints to our campuses.”
Mr Sunderland has received the fresh invitation and is considering whether to accept it.
According to the parliamentary democracy website TheyWorkForYou, Mr Sunderland has consistently voted for tougher immigration rules and penalties for illegal immigrants, in line with the Conservative government’s policies.
