"Come What May, We're Here To Stay - In conversation with Taj Ali

On Tuesday 13th October journalist and historian and Luton neighbour Taj Ali will be in conversation in Milton Keynes. Taj will be discussing his latest book "Come What May We're Here To Stay: The Story of South Asian Resistance in Britain", what this might mean for us in Milton Keynes and answering questions from the audience. We'd love you to join us!

Date: Tuesday 13th October 2026
Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Venue: Centrecom Meeting Place, 602 N Row, Milton Keynes MK9 3BJ
Accessibility: A full account of the venue’s accessibility can be found here, including travel routes: centrecom.org.uk/about/
Cost: Pay as you’re able. Suggested contribution £5. 

About Taj and his work

Taj Ali is a journalist and historian. He is the former editor of Tribune and regularly appears as a commentator on the BBC, as well as contributing to the Guardian, Al Jazeera English and others. For his work on hate crime and Islamophobia he was chosen as a finalist for the 2026 Orwell Prize. As British South Asians reel from the riots of summer 2024, this book tells the inspirational story of how the community organised against racism in the past and how it continues to fight in the present.

British South Asians have a long tradition of radical political activism. The 1970s and 1980s saw the community grappling with prejudice in the workplace and violence in the streets. But this history is deeper than you might think, from students agitating for independence at the heart of the British Empire to seafarers organising global strikes on the eve of the Second World War.

In Come What May, We're Here To Stay, Taj Ali reveals how successive generations fought for rights, dignity and a sense of belonging while actively shaping the country they now call home. He shows that British South Asian political life has often been defined less by religious difference than by shared commitments to anti-imperialism and anti-racism. In pursuit of these goals, alliances have been forged with other movements, from Irish republicanism to Black Power.

As racism rears its ugly head again, Come What May, We're Here To Stay Asks: are we doomed to repeat the past or will we learn from our mistakes and build a better world together?

You can pre-order the book here: indiepubs.co.uk/products/come-what-may-were-here-to-stay-1772672418663?_pos=1&_sid=e2b23a09b&_ss=r

About the evening

Milton Keynes Peace and Justice is a not-for-profit community group and is for us all. We always appreciate support in covering the costs of the venue, food and drink, and other expenses on a ‘pay as you feel basis’ with a suggested contribution if you are able of £5-10 pounds. (Any additional money will be put back into the network to pay for things like guest travel and food for events etc). We never want cost to be a barrier, so please come regardless, but if you're able to contribute towards costs it really helps.

We’ve put together a rough agenda for the evening and share it with you here so you know the sort of thing to expect. Participation is as much as you feel comfortable or able to do so:

🫖 Drinks and snacks on arrival
❤️ Welcome and introduction
✨ Interview with Taj 
🐚 Audience Q&A
🪘Group discussion about what this might mean for organising in Milton Keynes
🌙 Close

We want everyone to feel welcome and for the event to be accessible. We will do all that we can to organise for everyone to feel welcome - including BSL interpretation, comfortable seating, etc. If there’s anything we can do to support you in this please let us know.

Contact: 07719856494 or mkpeace.justice@gmail.com.