For Some MPs the Muslim Votes Will Be Vital [The Guardian]
But that 2-3% is concentrated in particular urban areas, and as a result, it becomes proportionally much larger when considered part of a constituency population – in some cases, 40% in a single constituency. And then, they become very significant for politicians.
The Muslim population of the UK is incredibly diverse – it cuts across racial and ethnic lines, as well as class. Its almost pointless to talk of a Muslim bloc vote in such circumstances – but there are some key common aspects. For one thing, Muslim Britons are generally (not exclusively) blue-collar, and the majority started to become very politically active in the early 1980s – a time when a party that specifically focused on the working class was in opposition, and wanted to swell up their ranks. Its not surprising, therefore, that Labour managed to command the Muslim vote for so long.
This year is a different ball game altogether. Just like any predominantly migrant community, over time they have diversified in their voting patterns, with some switching to the Conservatives as they move up the economic ladder. Yet, Muslim community lobby groups have not yet built the same quality or quantity of bridges with the Tories, and are unlikely to do so for a while, particularly as there is a strong current of suspicion that exists on both sides.
On the other hand, the Iraq war, and the securitisation of Muslims since 2005, particularly through the Prevent strand of the government's counter-terrorism strategy, has further alienated some Muslims who would have otherwise voted Labour, benefiting the Liberal Democrats. The issue for the Lib Dems is to find another issue, such as the Iraq war, that holds the Muslim community's imagination – which so far, they have not managed to do. And as they have learned, Muslim voters might emotionally bring in a Liberal Democrat MP over a Labour one, owing to foreign policy issues – only to vote against the MP later, because of local issues.
Perhaps most fascinating about this election, however, is the level of interest that is taking place within the Muslim community. There are a number of dedicated websites urging participation – Muslim Vote 2010 and You Elect, for example. All of them, it must be said, are non-sectarian and non-party political – but apathy towards politics is at an all time high in Britain as a whole, and it could mean that the Muslim British community does not turn out to vote in very large numbers.
In this election, all bets are off – anything could happen. But what is definitely likely is that local issues are going to be particularly important, perhaps more than foreign policy – the rise of the far-right, with parties such as the BNP, could encourage Muslim communities to get involved in strategic voting to keep out the far-right.
All in all – it is going to be very interesting to see how this community votes come election day. One way or another, this will be a new era for Britain, and a new era for its Muslim community – for better or for worse.
Source: The Guardian