Swaminarayan Temple Is Pride Of Brent - Clegg

3.36.07pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Apr 2009

Local MP Sarah Teather took Nick Clegg to visit the Swaminarayan Temple

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg MP has paid a warm tribute to the hard work and dedication of devotees on visiting the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden with local MP Sarah Teather.

Mr. Clegg toured the temple and learnt about the history of the Swaminarayan movement. He later spoke to devotees and said that the whole country could learn lessons from the Temple's values of people working together; learning from and taking care of the elderly; and making sure everyone gets a good education.

Brent East MP Sarah Teather had invited Nick Clegg to visit the temple, and they were joined by London MEP Sarah Ludford and local Liberal Democrat Brent Councillors.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather, said:

"I was delighted to introduce Nick Clegg to a place which means so much to me and to people in Brent. The Temple attracts visitors from all over the country, and we can be justly proud of their tremendous work for charitable causes and for the community.

"I will be doing all I can to campaign for better transport links to the Swaminarayan Temple so that even more people can visit and learn about their important work."

Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats said:

"It was a great privilege to visit the Swaminarayan Temple in Brent and to receive such a warm welcome from the devotees. I can see why Sarah Teather has been such a passionate advocate of their work.

"The Temple is a place of overwhelming beauty, and a real testament to the vision, commitment and sheer hard work of the volunteers who built it.

"I very much enjoyed my visit, and hope others will learn from this example of what can be achieved by people who come together and work together towards a common goal. The whole of Brent can be proud of the Swaminarayan Temple."