Historically, the Labour Party in the United Kingdom has, over the years, attempted to build a broad coalition of voters from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, including the Muslim community. The Muslim electorate represents a significant and diverse segment of the UK population, and political parties, including Labour, have recognised the importance of engaging with this demographic.
Labour’s engagement with Muslim voters has been multifaceted. Here are several factors highlighting the relationship between the Labour Party and the Muslim vote:
Demographic Significance: The Muslim population in the UK constitutes a substantial portion of the electorate in certain constituencies, particularly in urban areas such as parts of London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Labour has sought to connect with these communities, recognising the potential impact of their support in key electoral battlegrounds.
Policy Alignment: Historically, the Labour Party has positioned itself as a proponent of policies that resonate with many Muslim voters, such as social justice, equality, and anti-discrimination measures. Issues such as immigration, religious freedoms, social welfare, and education are areas where the party’s policies have often intersected with the concerns of Muslim communities.
Representation and Outreach: Labour has made efforts to have Muslim representation within the party, including MPs, councillors, and members in leadership roles. This representation is important for building trust and understanding the needs of the Muslim electorate. Additionally, Labour has engaged in targeted outreach programs, attending community events, and addressing issues specific to these communities.
Criticism and Challenges: Despite efforts to engage with Muslim voters, the Labour Party has faced criticism and challenges. Some within the Muslim community have expressed concerns about Labour taking their vote for granted or not addressing specific issues effectively. Instances of internal party divisions, accusations of Islamophobia, or policy positions on international affairs (such as conflicts in the Middle East) have also led to discontent among some Muslim voters.
Shifting Dynamics: It’s crucial to note that the voting patterns within any community, including the Muslim electorate, are not monolithic. Political views among Muslims are diverse and influenced by various factors, including socio-economic status, geographical location, and personal beliefs. Thus, while the Labour Party may have historically garnered significant support from certain segments of the Muslim community, this support isn’t guaranteed and is subject to change based on evolving political landscapes and policies.
Thus, while the Labour Party has aimed to cultivate a relationship with the Muslim vote through policy alignment, representation, and outreach efforts, the extent of reliance on this vote remains complex and subject to multiple factors. The relationship is dynamic, and ongoing efforts to engage and address the concerns of the Muslim electorate will continue to shape the party’s relationship with this significant demographic.
Therefore, if one supports Zionist apartheid terrorism, one must expect those who are appalled to turn away. And so they are.
Muslim Census, alongside MEND, conducted a snapshot survey to understand the impact of the Labour and Conservative parties’ reaction to events in Israel and Palestine on how British Muslims intend to vote.
The survey has since gained over 30,000 responses from British Muslims across the UK. The survey received responses from 580 of the 650 Westminster Parliamentary constituencies.
Muslims have taken note
Following events in Israel and Palestine, where innocent lives have been lost on both sides, the British public have taken note of how our two major parties have responded.
People up and down the country have especially taken note of what the Labour Mayor of Leicester, Sir Peter Soulsby, described as a lack of “sympathy for the plight of Palestinians.”
There has been a consistent and unsettling message shared by our political leaders which is that Israel has the right to defend itself with impunity, despite contravening international law. Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, emphasised this speaking on LBC Radio when he stated Israel had the “right” to cut off water, electricity, and aid to Gaza, violating international humanitarian law and the Geneva conventions.
Rishi Sunak has voiced his “unequivocal support” for Israel and has visited Jewish communities in the UK to share his sympathies. The near 5,000 lives lost, and continued suffering, on the Palestinian side seemingly do not require the same level of thought or care.
Muslims across the UK have remained alert to this apparent disregard for the Palestinian struggle. Our survey found that almost all Muslims (98%) have a negative view of how the Labour and Conservative Party have responded.
The Labour party at risk of losing 66% of the Muslim vote.
For our survey which attracted over 30,000 responses, we asked who participants voted for in the 2019 General Election, and who they would vote for if there were an election tomorrow. The results demonstrate how the handling of the ongoing crisis has impacted Muslim perceptions of the two major political parties.
According to Muslim Census their sample of 30,000 Muslims shows that 71% of Muslims voted Labour and 9% voted for the Conservative Party in the 2019 General Election. This concurs with the Survation poll in 2021, which stated that 72% of Muslims feel most aligned with the Labour Party.
However, the fall in voting sentiment towards both parties should cause alarm. Just 5% of responses said that they would vote for the Labour Party if there was an election tomorrow, and less than 1% for the Conservative Party.
If a 66% drop in the Muslim Labour vote were to occur at the next general election, this could result in a loss of 1.5 million Muslim voters.
The Muslim vote has the potential to swing several seats across the UK, as MEND has previously found. It seems the possibility of the Muslim vote having a deciding impact is now likelier than ever before.
Both the scale and speed of response to the survey indicate an increasing political engagement of the British Muslim community. When compared to the shift away from the Labour party following the 2003 Iraq war, our survey suggests a greater change in public mood, indicating that this may be a watershed moment in British Muslim voting history.
This could be attributed to increased political awareness and social engagement, as many British Muslims are now four generations assimilated. It also demonstrates the severity of the international political situation.
More broadly, it suggests that the Muslim electorate, which has historically aligned itself with Labour, has greater and more complex political interests and needs that cannot be assumed to align with any political party, and thus Muslims can no longer be subject to political complacencies. In any case, with a 6.5% share of the British population, the youngest age profile of all religious groups, and given their concentration in inner city conurbations, it is clear the political and electoral implications will be far-reaching.
Therefore, while the Labour Party does not rely on the Muslim vote, it may be that some marginal constituencies are now lost because Keir Starmer and his Zionist cronies have decided to support the USA’s stance and not the humanitarian one. We can now see that Keir Starmer intends to be no more than a poodle to the USA, just like one of his predecessors, Tony Blair.
Starmer also needs the corporate billionaire media on side, if only partially, and by supporting a Zionist genocide he is tickling their tummy too.
Oh, what a wonderful democracy we don’t have.
Douglas James
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