Watch on YouTubeOpen the channel
The latest Talking Points episode
Every Sunday, 9 to 10am on Lyca Radio Greater London 1458AM.
Watch on YouTubeHost of Talking Points on Lyca Radio 1458AM
KeithVaz
Every week I sit down with the people shaping public life, from political leaders to film stars. Broadcaster, health campaigner and MP for Leicester East from 1987 to 2019.
On air
Talking Points on Lyca Radio
Look who's talking to Talking Points
Every week on Lyca Radio I talk with people shaping public life in Britain and beyond: leaders, campaigners, actors, athletes and community heroes.
- When
- Every Sunday, 9 to 10am
- Where
- Lyca Radio Greater London 1458AM
- Catch up
- YouTube and Lyca Radio listen back
Watch full episodes on YouTube
Every programme goes up on our YouTube channel after it airs.
- Watch on YouTubeOpen the channelLatest episodeTalking Points with Keith VazSubscribe to the channel
- Watch on YouTubeOpen the channelPrevious episodeTalking Points with Keith Vaz
- Watch on YouTubeOpen the channelEarlier episodeTalking Points with Keith Vaz
Guests on the programme
See every episode- Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
- Vijay Mallya, Businessman
- Rupa Huq MP, Member of Parliament
- Lord Simon Woolley, House of Lords
- Suresh Prabhu MP, Indian politician
- Naz Shah MP, Member of Parliament
- Meenakshi Seshadri, Actor
- Shazia Mirza, Comedian
- Hardeep Singh Kohli, Broadcaster
- Prof Kamlesh Khunti, Diabetes expert
- Wes Morgan, Former Leicester City captain
- Dalip Tahil, Actor
- Sir David Bell, Educationist
- Mark Stephens CBE, Lawyer
Have a story worth telling? Suggest a guest or a subject for the programme.
Suggest a guestPortfolio
Three organisations, one purpose
I wear three hats. Each of these organisations brings people together and takes help to where people are.
Broadcasting, since 2020
Talking Points
PresenterMy weekly current affairs programme on Lyca Radio, with guests from politics, film, sport and public life.
Listen and watch Health charity, since 2007Silver Star Diabetes
FounderFree diabetes testing across the UK, with 68,572 people tested so far and projects in India, Bangladesh, Morocco and Tunisia.
See the campaign Civic foundation, since December 2019The Integration Foundation
FounderA not-for-profit giving diaspora communities a voice with decision-makers. Its Patron is the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
See the Foundation
Social cause
The Silver Star diabetes campaign
I founded Silver Star Diabetes in 2007, and Amitabh Bachchan was our first patron. Many people with Type 2 diabetes don't know they have it, and people of South Asian, African and Caribbean heritage are at much higher risk. A quick finger-prick test can change a life.
- Mobile Diabetes UnitsFree testing where people already gather: temples, mosques, gurdwaras, churches and community centres.
- Diabetes Chai ChatFriendly conversations about diabetes, food and healthy habits, in a setting that feels like home.
- The Diabetes Awareness WalkOur annual walk brings communities out together to raise awareness and funds.
- Fairer accessCampaigning for affordable glucose monitors and treatment for everyone who needs them.
- Founded
- 2007
- People tested in the UK
- 68,572
- Countries with projects abroad
- 4
Beyond the UK, Silver Star has run projects in India, Bangladesh, Morocco and Tunisia.
Visit silverstaruk.orgLower your riskWhere the units are visitingInstagram
Civic cause
The Integration Foundation
I founded the Integration Foundation in December 2019, and the American civil rights leader the Reverend Jesse Jackson is its Patron. It is a not-for-profit that supports people from every community, and opens doors for diaspora communities to the decision-makers who can help them.
"Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization." Mahatma Gandhi
- RespectRecognising the different needs of diaspora communities.
- IntegrateEvery community should have the chance to be fully part of our society.
- SupportGiving people access to the decision-makers who can help.
- UnderstandCutting through red tape so communities understand how they are governed.
- CampaignRaising awareness of the issues that matter to diaspora communities.
Rainbow Over WestminsterCelebrating the diversity of Parliament.
Our HeroesEach month we celebrate a person whose life inspires our work.
Operation ZenonOur first international humanitarian aid mission, in 2022.
Leadership webinarAn annual international gathering of community leaders.
Offices in Leicester, London and Chicago, with Rainbow PUSH.
This week
Every week: a new Talking Points episode, a story from Silver Star and a story from the Integration Foundation.
Free diabetes testing in your community
New stories are posted every week.
More on InstagramOpening doors for diaspora communities
New stories are posted every week.
More on X
About
From Aden to Westminster, and on air
I was born in Aden in 1956 to a family with roots in Goa, and came to Britain aged nine. After school at Latymer Upper I read law at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and worked as a solicitor, including at a community law centre in Leicester.
In 1987 the people of Leicester East elected me as their Member of Parliament, and I served them for 32 years. I was Minister for Europe, a member of the Privy Council, and chaired the Home Affairs Select Committee from 2007 to 2016.
Since leaving Parliament my work has been broadcasting, diabetes prevention and bringing communities together. As a broadcaster I don't comment on party politics, but I will always speak on the issues I care about: diabetes, the Middle East and integration.
- 1956Born in Aden. The family moves to Britain in 1965.
- 1987Elected MP for Leicester East, one of the first British Asian MPs in over half a century.
- 1999 to 2001Minister in the Lord Chancellor's Department, then Minister for Europe.
- 2007Founds Silver Star. Becomes Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, serving until 2016.
- 2019Stands down from Parliament. Founds the Integration Foundation.
- 2020Talking Points begins on Lyca Radio. It has now passed 320 editions.
Memoirs, year by year
I'm writing my memoirs here first, one year and one story at a time. In time they will become a book. Scroll to travel through the years.Swipe through the years.
Born in Aden
I was born in Aden, then a British colony, to parents whose roots were in Goa.
The full chapter is coming soon.
Arriving in Britain
At nine years old I came to Britain with my family and started at a new school in a new country.
The full chapter is coming soon.
Cambridge and the law
I read law at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and went on to qualify as a solicitor.
The full chapter is coming soon.
Elected for Leicester East
On 11 June 1987 the people of Leicester East elected me as their Member of Parliament.
The full chapter is coming soon.
Into government
I joined the government, first in the Lord Chancellor’s Department and then as Minister for Europe.
The full chapter is coming soon.
Silver Star and Home Affairs
I founded Silver Star to fight diabetes, and became Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee.
The full chapter is coming soon.
Leaving Parliament
After 32 years I stood down from the House of Commons and founded the Integration Foundation.
The full chapter is coming soon.
On air
Talking Points began on Lyca Radio.
The full chapter is coming soon.
Get in touch
For guest appearances on Talking Points, speaking invitations, Silver Star screenings or Integration Foundation events.
Office of Keith Vaz