first issue of Dialogue - Unitas Communications

DIALOGUE
MAY 201 0
The monthly current affairs review from Unitas Communications

HOW THE MUSLIM VOTE CAN SWING IT
Unitas CEO Muddassar Ahmed looks forward to the election
Welcome to the first issue of Dialogue, the new
monthly current affair review from Unitas
Communications, which will seek to provide
coverage of recent news and events pertaining to
the UK Muslim community, alongside expert analysis
and commentary.
- Mosques up and down the country have launched
voter registration drives. The efforts of the Nigerian
run Old Kent Road Mosque in South London, The
Bangladeshi Run East London Mosque and The
Pakistani run Jame Masjid in Birmingham are worth
noting.
Since the start of 201 0 Unitas Communications,
through the British Muslim Media Network, has
provided a daily news portal focusing on Muslim
affairs. This new online publication has been
introduced in light of the positive response to the
daily news digests and in keeping with our ethos of
delivering mainstream news specific to the Muslim
community. Alongside our Talking Points and Policy
Focus sections, a succession of commentators from
inside the world of politics, media and public affairs
will provide their opinion on developments over the
past month and breaking news stories.
In this edition, we bring you Jason Beattie, Deputy
Political Editor at The Daily Mirror, who takes the hotseat
in a quick-fire interview on the political strategy
employed by the 3 main UK Political Parties in the
run up to next week’ s General Election. In my first
column, I want to discuss the seemingly ubiquitous
subject of the General Election campaign. With the
recent historic leader's television debates, it seems
political apathy may have reached a turning point.
While the media attention has been focused on this
new interest in politics and specifically in the fortunes
of the yellow party, what they have failed to notice
is a community of voters that has the potential to
make a huge difference to the electoral landscape
– the Muslim community. Huge swathes of leaders
from the British Muslim community have quite
suddenly become politicised, as exemplified by the
following large-scale drives:
- The UK’ s largest Muslim media channel ‘ Islam
Channel’ producing 3 documentaries urging Muslim
to use their vote and running an ad campaign
urging people to register to vote.
- The UK’ s largest Muslim umbrella organisation’
‘ Muslim Council of Britain’ , launches a Muslim Vote
campaign and persuades leading Muslim clerics to
endorse this drive.
- The UK's largest Muslim website ‘ MPACUK’ launches
‘ Operation Muslim Vote’ and targets MP’ s around
the Country who it perceives are neglecting to serve
the interests of British Muslims.
British Muslims have a real chance to influence this
election, despite representing a relatively small
proportion of the population. UK’ s two million or so
Muslims live in concentrated, primarily urban,
pockets which means they could have a significant
influence on up to 82 marginal seats. There has also
been a record number of Muslim candidates
standing for parliament this year with at least 8
Labour and 3 Conservative candidates in winnable
seats. This could take the total number of Muslim
MP’ s’ s from 4 to at least 1 0 in the new parliament.
Although there ought to be at least UK 40 MP’ s in
proportion to the 2.8 million Muslims that live in the
UK, this is nevertheless a step in the right direction.
For all the criticisms levied against them, the Labour
Party appears to have shown genuine enthusiasm
for working with ethnic minorities and they are still
the only political party with any elected Muslim MPs.
They are also the only party to have a Faith Groups
umbrella body representing faith communities within
the Labour Party. Of course, as far as the Muslim
community is concerned, the legacy of the Iraq war
still hangs over the party, as does that of an overtly
interventionist foreign policy. The Liberal Democrats'
outspoken criticism of the UK’ s arms relationship with
Israel during the invasion of Gaza is an example of
how they have managed to appeal to the Muslim
community. The Tories have yet to prove that they
have a genuine commitment to doing so.
Surprisingly, none of main parties have yet visited a
mosque for that all important photo-op beside an
Imam.
As the campaign gathers pace, it’ s worth watching
out for Muslim PPC’ s like the ‘ Party Animal’ Rushnara
Ali, running for Bethnal Green and Bow, and the
energetic Shabana Mahmood in Birmingham.
Businessman Nadhim Zahavi, Conservative PPC for
Stratford upon Avon is very well connected and the
Liberal Democrats’ Qurban Hussain has a genuine
chance in Luton South against Esther Rantzen and
company.
We hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter.

INTERVIEW: JASON BEATTIE
A quickfire interview with the Political Editor of The Daily Mirror
Who won the first leaders' debate?
Clearly Nick Clegg. Though there is a danger his performance is
becoming mythologised in the subsequent hype. For the
Conservatives, they should be worried David Cameron bombed so
badly. Many of my media colleagues thought Brown performed
well but Labour must be concerned that even a good
performance by the PM failed to shift opinion.
What has been the most damaging news story for each of the
parties?
The TV debates have upset the equilibrium of the Tory campaign.
The viewers appeared to punish Cameron for believing he had a
divine right to stroll into No 1 0. Nick Clegg may regret not tightening
down his policies on Trident and immigration. Gordon Brown took too long to close down the Tory
attack on National Insurance rises.
What front benchers are the strongest media performers for each of the parties?
Lord Mandelson for Labour, he's box office. Michael Gove does well for the Tories and Vince Cable for
the Lib Dems. But Cameron remains the Tories' best card, and, obviously Nick Clegg has finally
escaped from Vince Cable's shadow.
What frontbenchers would you see as having the biggest potential for dropping a clanger?
Lord Mandelson dances along a high wire whatever he does. It thrills but he could easily slip. Chris
Grayling and Oliver Letwin appear to be in a safehouse with Theresa Villiers so of the Tories allowed to
see daylight I would still put my money on Ken Clarke in the gaffe stakes. The Lib Dems barely register
beyond Nick and Vince so I cannot see anyone falling over unless they wheel Lembit Opik out.
Which party has the best digital PR strategy?
The Tories have been quicker to master Google ads, viral campaigns and buzz marketing, while
Labour has had fun with doctored Tory posters. But the most salient thing about this election is that
television continues to set the agenda.
Which 3 MPs have the best online presence and strategy (blogs/twitter/facebook etc)?
Tom Watson for Labour, Tory MP Nadine Dorries is constantly entertaining, for not necessarily for the
right reasons and I know of no Lib Dem's storming the virtual world.
What's been the best election ad of the campaign so far?
For all the wrong reasons, the Labour Gene Hunt poster (Don't let Cameron take you back to the 80s) .
It was a gift to the Tories and should never have been allowed off the drawing board.

TALKING POINTS
A breakdown of three of the key news stories this month
THE ISSUE
WHAT THE PAPERS ARE SAYING
WIKILEAKS VS THE PENTAGON
THE LEADERS' DEBATES
ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS
Wikileaks, the website that has built a reputation Joan Smith in The Independent suggested that
for exposing governmental and corporate this is a sobering moment to reflect on what
malpractice through publishing classified fighting in wars does to men. She suggests that
documents, has posted a video taken from the rather than simply defend those involved, the
cockpit of an Apache helicopter in Iraq in 2007. Pentagon should take steps to ensure that the
The video shows US soldiers gunning targets who wars in Iran and Afghanistan do not continue to
turned out to be 1 2 innocent civilians, including 'normalise violence'. Omar Chatriwala, on the Al
two Reuter’ s journalists. The videos have provoked Jazeera English blog, listed other examples of
outrage across the Middle East, particularly Wikileak documents that they Pentagon didn't
because of the language used by the American want the world to see: A classified film revealing
soldiers, which allegedly includes comments such civilian casualties under the command of US
as 'Yeah look at those dead b******s'.
General Petraeus, A US intelligence briefing on
how to undermine and hack WikiLeaks, releases
concerning the Icelandic banking collapse and
US and UK's involvement in reclaiming billions of
Euros of loan guarantees.
The three party leaders' debates herald a The most remarkable outcome of these historic
landmark in the nation’ s political landscape. This debates has been the rise of Nick Clegg, as the
has been the only time in the country's history that Independent claimed, 'smashing through the two
television debates of this kind have taken place. party system'. After the first debate Channel 4
9.4 million viewers tuned in on Thursday 1 5th newsreader John Snow commented that 'Clegg's
March to watch the first debate between the engagement with the camera was by far the
three Party leaders. Over the course of the best'. Most of the media coverage agreed that
debates the leaders have responded to questions all of the leaders improved in the second debate
from the selected studio audiences and
with the Guardian declaring they had all ‘ upped
responded to each other after every question. their game’ , being slightly more sympathetic to
The debates have focussed on issues covering Brown who gave a ‘ far more prime-ministerial
domestic affairs including spending cuts, tax and performance’ . The Telegraph pronounced the
political reform to foreign affairs and the
final debate as the best of the three ‘ because is
economy. Most significantly the debates have was just that, a debate’ hailing David Cameron
given rise to ‘ Cleggmania’ and have positioned as the clear winner and Brown ‘ weighed down by
the Liberal Democrats firmly on the political map. the baggage of 1 3 years in office.’
The Israeli government offended the Obama The Independent suggested that this issue was
administration earlier this month by announcing creating 'the biggest crisis in relations for 35 years'
the building of 1 ,600 new residential units in East between the US and Israel'. The Guardian urged
Jerusalem just after the US Vice-President Joe President Obama not to back down, saying that
Biden had announced continued US support for he had 'already climbed down a fair way from his
Israel's security. Obama, Biden and Secretary of original demand for a total halt on settlement
State Hillary Clinton all proceeded to publicly construction.' James Hilder in The Times suggested
rebuke Israel, including cancelling a state dinner that Binamin Neyanyahu had 'miscalculated the
when Netanyahu visited Washington. The Israelis US President’ s determination to stand his ground
said that the housing announcement was this time round'. Thomas Friedman in The New York
'procedural', the plan had been in place for three Times suggested that the key issue was the power
years and that it was unrelated to Biden's visit. As struggle in Palestine between moderate, effective
a result of the ensuing fracas, peace talks Prime Minister Salam Fayad, and the alliance of
between Israel and Palestine were cancelled. Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.

WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE
SAYING
WHAT NEXT?
Wikileaks has set up a special site for the Apache
helicopter video, entitled 'Collateral Murder'.
When accused by talkshow host Stephen Colbert
of extending the remit of the site from leaks to
'pure editorial' as reflected by this title and the
editing done on the video, Wikileaks founder
Julian Assange responded that he will always 'try
and get maximum possible political impact' for
their sources. Assange called Defence Secretary
Robert Gates a 'liar' over the latter's assertion that
the troops were in a 'combat situation'. Gates
commented that 'we take these things seriously'
but launched into an attack on Wikileaks,
suggesting that they put out anything they want,
and they're never held accountable for it. There's
no before and there's no after."
The key approach from Clegg was his “plague on
both your houses” line, pitching himself as
someone new and a fresh face in politics. His
attitude was generally upbeat and aspirational
and he closed the final debate with the words
“don’ t let anyone tell you it can’ t happen. It can.
This time, you can make the difference.” Brown
was always keen to pitch himself as the man of
experience, accusing the other two leaders of
not being “ready” for government, continually
pointing to his success in shoring up the banks in
the wake of the financial crash, and hammering
home the idea that a vote for Labour was a vote
for “progressive governance”. Cameron kept
reiterating the concept of ‘ broken Britain’ and
accused Brown of “failing the poor”.
All the key players were reunited for a
conference held this week by AIPAC, the Israel
lobby in Washington. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton urged an end to the conflict with
Palestine "The status quo is unsustainable for all
sides. It promises only more violence and
unrealised aspirations. Staying on this course
means continuing a conflict that carries tragic
human cost". Binyamin Netanyahu, speaking just
a few hours later on the same podium, was given
an enthusiastic response by the crowd when he
said 'Jerusalem is not a settlement, it is our
capital.' The new President of AIPAC said
'disagreements between any two allies happen,
but how friends...react when missteps occur, that
can determine the nature of the relationship.'
Beyond the tragic incident itself, there are a
number of serious consequences stemming from
the leak of this video. Stephanie Strom in The New
York Times suggested that The Pentagon now saw
Wikileaks as a potential threat to their operations.
The Times in London picked up on this concern, as
the activists behind the website now claim that
they are being 'harrassed' by the security services.
The Telegraph meanwhile warned of worse to
come, as they commented on news that
Wikileaks are planning to release footage of
airstrikes that killed 1 47 civilians in Afghanistan last
year. Reuters have set up a website dedicated to
their journalists killed in the Iraq conflict.
Most national polls agreed that Clegg won the
first debate with his approach of attacking the
other two leaders for failing the British people.
Gordon Brown trailed in third place although the
Guardian put Brown and the Tory leader neck
and neck. Both Cameron and Brown did
significantly better in the second debate,
although by giving the Lib Dem leader some
much needed media coverage, commentators
agree that the election has been swung on its
head and what once looked like a certain
Conservative victory may be edging towards a
hung parliament. The final debate was won by
the Tory leader, although both Brown and
Cameron still fear Clegg for taking votes from
both sides of the fence.
The prospect of further conflict over settlement
building was raised recently when Netanyahu
told ABC news that he will not accept demands
that Israel stop building in occupied East
Jerusalem. However, he called for a full and frank
set of talks 'without preconditions'. Jeremy Bowen,
writing on the BBC Middle East blog, has
predicted a tough future for the region and
suggested that ' people who have to live with the
Middle East's grim collection of smouldering
problems are finding it hard to look ahead with
anything other than foreboding. He sees the fact
that the recent crisis focuses on Jerusalem sees as
the biggest disaster, as it is 'the single most
emotive issue in the entire Middle East'. He
predicts war is in the offing.

POLICY FOCUS
A breakdown of what the main parties are proposing in key policy areas,
and how those areas relate to the Muslim community.
Education
According to the last census, the UK’ s Muslim community had an age demographic that was
proportionately younger than that of any other religious community. The UK’ s Muslim community is also
heavily concentrated in economically deprived areas. With nearly half of adult Bangladeshi’ s and 27% of
Pakistani men and 40% of Pakistani women without any formal qualifications, how will the education
policies of the three parties bode for the emerging generation of British Muslims?
LABOUR
Labour’ s manifesto pledges one-to-one tuition for every primary school child that needs it and would
provide parents with the power to bring in new school 'leadership teams' through mergers and takeovers
if they felt their school was failing them. Given the disproportionate concentration of Muslim children in
failing ‘ sink’ schools, empowering parents to influence the quality of their child’ s education is welcome,
but the pledge has been dismissed by teachers’ unions as impractical and unworkable.
Under Labour proposals, faith schools will continue to be able incorporate their own teachings into sex
education. Parents will still also have the power to hold their children back from these classes if they are
under 1 5. However, Labour's ambitious plans for compulsory sex education may be looked upon less
favourably among more conservative groups. Labour has also been accused of undermining faith
schools by overhauling admissions rules and curtailing the ability of faith schools to select children on
religious grounds. Labour would also retain Higher Education tuition fees.
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
The Liberal Democrat proposals on education are premised on addressing what they see as a link
between poverty and poor educational achievement. This underpins the Lib Dem "Pupil Premium" policy,
a £2.5 billion fund from which an extra premium is paid to schools teaching the poorest pupils; a welcome
source of support given most UK Muslim school children are situated in the most deprived areas. However,
the premium takes account of existing funding that schools have received under the Labour Government
and less money would, as a result, be paid to schools in East London where the most concentrated
pockets of the UK Muslim population live. The Liberal Democrats also stress greater teacher control over
running schools and advocate replacing a National Curriculum with a Minimum Curriculum Entitlement to
allow teachers more flexibility and for class sizes to be made smaller. They also support increasing
apprenticeship numbers and scrapping university tuition fees over six years, which they argue would
disadvantage bright students from economically deprived backgrounds - not least from the Muslim
community. The Liberal Democrats favour scrapping faith schools entirely, a proposal that has been
criticised by many faith organisations as dismissive.
CONSERVATIVE
The Conservative Party manifesto stresses the benefit of traditional values like discipline in the classroom,
which will mean giving teachers greater authority and control in running schools. They also advocate the
creation of independent schools supported by the State, provided there is sufficient parental demand.
Himself a supporter of faith schools both 'politically and personally', David Cameron’ s Conservative Party
schools policy means faith groups, charities and private companies could apply to operate the new
schools using taxpayers' money. The proposal to empower parents groups and other organisation’ s to set
up schools wherever there is sufficient demand seems a welcome change for any parent that has
experienced their child being put on a school waiting list - an occurrence most likely in the densely
populated constituencies that British Muslim communities tend to be concentrated. And whilst the new
sense of independence may bode well for faith schools, for those for who feel social integration is
important - the example from Sweden (where the model was first used) has shown increased social
segregation resulting. Small schools can easily be set up by pockets of likeminded parents and the
enforcement of strict entry criteria often ensures only the brightest children, or those of a particular
religious, cultural background are taken. The danger is that this could leave behind to even greater state

‘ sink’ schools. The Conservatives also propose a cut to the education budget, which has been looked
on unfavorably by both other Parties.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls MP, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesman David Laws MP, Conservative Education Secretary Michael Gove MP
Health
The last national census revealed that British Muslims have the highest rate of reported ill health amongst
religious groups. Diabetes amongst Bangladeshi men and women is six times higher than the general
population and diagnosed heart disease or severe chest pain is 1 8% amongst Pakistanis. With debate
on frontline public sector cuts dominating policy debates this last month, here is how the three parties
say they will manage the national healthcare.
LABOUR
Labour proposes an increase in spending in the NHS and commitment to free delivery. They guarantee
that all hospitals become foundation trusts, as part of a de-centralisation effort to enable hospitals to
better cater for the needs of the local community. They also guarantee the right to choose a GP in your
area and extend GP practice access to evenings and weekends.
Home care is an issue of particular relevance to the UK’ s Muslim community, given the high number of
Muslim carers that provide medical and non medical assistance to older and less able family members.
Labour pledges to provide free home care for people with greatest needs from April 201 1 and a system
of universal free care after 201 5. However given 201 5 will be in the Parliament after next and yet
another commission would have to be set up to decide how universal free home care will be funded,
it’ s a proposal that is far from convincing.
CONSERVATIVE
The Conservative Party has pledged not to cut spending on the front line NHS and ensures all hospitals
will become foundation trusts. They also promise GP patient access between 8am and 8pm seven days
a week; look to scrap process targets and replace them with outcome targets; cut the cost of NHS
administration by third; and allow patients to choose any healthcare provider that meets NHS
standards.
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
The Liberal Democrats promise not to cut back on the health service budget and will keep it free for
everyone; they will aim to reduce the number of health targets entirely and abolish strategic health
authorities, putting doctors and nurses back in charge of hospitals and cutting back wasteful spending
on bureaucracy; Create democratically elected local health boards with power to prevent hospital
closures.
The Royal Berkshire Hospital

Employment
Unemployment rates for Muslim men and women are far higher than those of any other religious
group. Recent research has revealed that the unemployment rate for Asians was 1 2.6% compared to
7.6% in white communities. People from Muslim backgrounds are severely underrepresented in the
mainstream workforce and Muslim women in particular are four times less likely to be employed.
THE CONSERVATIVES
The Conservative Party have proposed a new single back to Work Programme for everyone who is
unemployed, including those seeking incapacity benefits. The unemployed young will be referred to
the Work Programme after 6 months of unemployment, whilst providers will draw on Service
Academies to offer pre-employment training for the unemployed.
THE LABOUR PARTY
Labour have promised new plans that target those that have been out of work for a number of
months. They guarantee employment or training to those out of work for six months or more and a
job placement for those who have been unemployed for more than two years. They will put in place
incentives for those on benefits to find employment and increase the National Minimum Wage.
THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
The Liberal Democrats have focused their employment policy towards getting young people into the
job market. They offer to pay any young person completing an internship or work experience £55 a
week for three months, meaning up to 800,000 young people from all backgrounds will be able to
take advantage of these opportunities. The party also sets out to increase the number of
apprenticeships and places on university and vocational courses. Additionally they aim to raise the
threshold at which people start paying income tax to £1 0,000.
Foreign Policy
No single other area of policy has historically roused the Muslim vote as much as foreign policy So with
the UK actively engaged militarily in Muslim countries, how does each party see Britain’ s role in the world
and the UK’ s international responsibilities?
LABOUR
Labour are committed to the UK to war in Afghanistan and aim to hand over responsibility for districts
and provinces to Afghan forces later this year. They have ended active UK military involvement in
Iraq.Despite the accepted use of disproportionate force during the Israeli invasion of Gaza in 2009, UK
arms supplies to Israel increased in that year and the legacy of the Iraq war still hangs over the head of
the Party. The Labour Party stresses the importance of both the UK’ s relationship with the USA and the EU.
It also supports Turkey’ s ascension to the EU. A diplomatic resolution of Iran's nuclear ambitions is sought,
but Labour have often used the Iranian nuclear threat as a justification for replacing Trident with a like
for like system, and stress that Iran poses a serious security risk.
THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
The Liberal Democrats make a shift from some conventional UK foreign policy norms by arguing for a
departure from the ‘ special relationship with the USA’ in favor of greater EU collaboration and the
eventual formation of a joint EU defence force. Such a re-alignment would have a significant impact on
the UK’ s engagements in the Middle East. This came across most strongly during the 2009 Israeli invasion
of Gaza when the Liberal Democrats were critical of the EU refusing to employ its economic leverage
over Israel to end the blockade and of Brown, like Blair, for having made “made British foreign policy
effectively subservient to Washington.” They are also in favour of Turkey’ s ascension to the EU. The strong
opposition from the Liberal Democrats on replacing Trident with a like for like system seems to indicate
that they fail to see Iran as being as immediate a nuclear threat as do the other two Parties. Instead
they have spoken of pursuing diplomatic efforts and using the EU’ s trade leverage with Iran to stop it

developing nuclear capacity.
THE CONSERVATIVES
The Conservatives support continued military action in Afghanistan. The party is committed to
replacing Trident to maintain a UK nuclear deterrent. They are also looking to strengthen the UK’ s
relationship with the USA, especially as a Conservative led Government will be very unlikely to
integrate itself effectively within the EU, given its relative isolation in Europe. The Conservatives support
a two state solution for Israel and Palestine but have remained relatively uncritical of Israeli military
action that has otherwise received broad international condemnation, such as use of
disproportionate force during the invasion of Gaza in 2009. The Conservative party has also promised
a 'new special relationship' with India and supports India’ s bid for a seat in the UN Security Council, if
it comes to power.
US, UK and Iraqi troops patrol in Iraq; Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Mahmoud Abbas (Photo courtesy of the Foreign Office;) Foreign Secretary Miliband with Afghan leader

Immigration and Race Relations
With immigration as the top concern for many British voters, dividing lines need to be drawn between the
three main party policies towards the issue. The Muslim community has grown by over 500,000 between
2004-2008 according to the Office of National Statistics and fringe parties such as the BNP use facts like
these to scaremonger by pitching "them" against "us". The three Parties also outline plans for community
engagement and integration issues:
THE CONSERVATIVES
The Conservative manifesto says that immigration is too high and they promise an annual limit on
immigration, new curbs on unskilled workers, and “transitional controls” on new European Union
members. Their annual limit will not, however, extend to immigration from existing EU member countries,
where poor domestic economies may still fuel significant future immigration to the UK. Moreover, an
annual cap of this sort could increase the human trafficking, putting thousands more at risk every year. In
terms of race and community relations, the Conservatives have focused strongly on promoting a
collective British identity as a response to the perceived failure of ‘ State multiculturalism’ under the
Labour Party. Cameron has, for example, criticised the Archbishop of Canterbury’ s suggestion for the
extension of some elements of Shariah law into the UK as divisive and the logical end result of state
multiculturalism. Whilst this focus on treating people as individual citizens would be welcome, many from
the Muslim community will no doubt be concerned about their needs as a community being dismissed.
Some of the proposed changes would mean making learning English a priority for all communities, by
redirecting some of the money the Government currently spends on translation into additional English
classes. It would also mean tackling ‘ unacceptable cultural practices’ by classifying Khat (the popular
stimulant used predominantly by the UK Somali community) , closing Polygamy loopholes, tackling forced
marriages, and ensuring religious courts act in accordance with the Arbitration Act. On counterterrorism,
the Tory Leader pledged to carry out a review of the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE)
strategy “on the basis of what is effective,” but could not say it would be changed “in the way everyone
would like.” The Conservative Party currently “won’ t do formal things” with the Muslim Council of Britain
unless the organisation distanced itself from Daud Abdullah, its deputy secretary-general.
THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
The Liberal Democrats have rejected the annual 'cap' on immigration and instead, pledge to set up a
National Border Force with police controls and want to adopt a points-based system on a regional level.
Their policies also advocate allowing asylum seekers to work; ending the detention of children in
immigration detention centres; increasing cost to business of work permits for immigrant employees to
pay for training British workers and creating an "earned route" to citizenship for migrants who have been
in the UK for 1 0 years. The Liberal Democrats also support scrapping ID cards and want a radical
overhaul of the PVE strategy, which they feel has meant UK citizens losing too much liberty in the name
of security. They instead advocate a more collaborative approach of working with communities and
‘ not targeting them’ .
LABOUR
Labour wants the points-based system controlled nationally rather than regionally and want to make
English tests compulsory for public sector migrant workers. They also support compulsory ID cards and
fingerprint testing for all Asylum seekers and foreign students, which is seen as excessive by the other two
parties. Treating immigrants differently to British citizens and imposing hard line regulations on them may
also stoke resentment within minority communities as well as make it more difficult for them to fully
integrate. Labour’ s race and Muslim community relations record has been mixed. They led the way on
outlawing religious discrimination in the work place and in service delivery in public institutions. They also
led the way on outlawing incitement to religious hatred. The ‘ war on terror’ however has seen numerous
laws passed that have adversely affected Muslims and made its PVE programme highly contentious
amongst the UK’ s Muslim community. Provided they are re-elected, Labour have pledged to continue
with the PVE agenda and has recently decided to restore relations with the Muslim Council of Britain
after previously breaking them off.

MUSLIMS IN THE MEDIA
A breakdown of some of the media appearances of Unitas clients and
others in the past month
March 1 7 - Cllr Rania Khan - Letter to the editor - The Independent
Letter to the Editor of The Independent regarding the 'futility of 'enforcement action' against racist
police officers.
March 25 - Mohammed Amin - 'My vision for the MCB' - The Guardian
Mohammed Amin published a piece on the Guardian Comment is Free blog outlining his vision for
the Muslim Council of Britain suggesting that it should focus on health, education and participation.
March 30 - Sonia Klein - 'Rock the Vote' - Islam Channel
Sonia Klein, Labour PPC for Ilford North, presented a documentary for the Islam Channel about the
importance of voting that contained interviews with the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Tory leader
David Cameron MP and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg MP.
April 1 2 - Liaquat Ahamed - 'Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World' - Pulitzer Prize
Liaquat Ahamed won the Pulitzer Prize in the category of History for his account of how four bankers
played a pivotal role in The Great Depression and eventually transforming the United States into the
world's financial leader.
April 1 2 - Anthony Shadid - International Reporting for The Washington Post - Pulitzer Prize
Anthony Shadid won the Pulitzer Prize in the category of International Reporting for his series of
articles about Iraq, written as the US departs the country and its leaders adjust in the aftermath of
war.
April 23 - Salma Yaqoob - 'Respect candidate spearheads quiet revolution to get Muslim women
involved in politics' - The Guardian
Double page spread covering Muslim female candidates at this year's General Election 201 0. As
well as Yaqoob, running in Birmingham, the article features Shabana Mahmood, Yasmin Qureshi,
and Rushanara Ali.
April 26 - Charles le Gai Hasan Eaton - The Times
The Times published an obituary of a remarkable life. Eaton was a widely respected Muslim
intellectual, who converted to Islam in 1 951 . As well as academia, his career spanned the fields of
acting, teaching and diplomacy at various stages of his life. His final work, A Bad Beginning: The
Path to Islam, was widely praised when it was published just before his death.
May 1 - Rania Khan & Lutfa Begum - 'Kith and Kin' - Emel Magazine
Both councillors in Tower Hamlets, mother and daughter Rania and Lufta talked about their shared
sense of community values and social justice and how it has contributed to their chosen career.

THE DIARY
Some key dates for your diary in the next month
May
6
Vote Afghanistan! at the ICA
This gripping documentary from the award-winning Afghan Star team tells the story of
the Afghan presidential election of 2009. A political thriller of sorts, it shows events
through the eyes of the leading challengers to President Karzai and the people who
risked their lives to make it a free and fair election.
www.ica.org.uk
6
Res Publica 'Red Tory' event at The Southbank Centre
Philip Blond, one of the most controversial political thinkers of recent times, discusses
the direction of a new progressive politics. Blond's arguments borrow from the left and
the right, and he claims a strengthening of local communities, redistribution of tax and
the restoration of the nuclear family as his model for the future.
www.respublica.org.uk/events
1 3
Dissecting Election 201 0 - A Centre Left Perspective at The Smith Institue
Ben Page (Chief Executive, Ipsos MORI) , Polly Toynbee (The Guardian) and Chairman
Paul Hackett (Director, The Smith Institute) will discuss the results of The General
Election.
www.smith-institute.org.uk
1 5
The Fabian Post Election Conference at the School of African and Oriental Studies
Confirmed speakers at the left leaning think tank's election summary event include
pollster Deborah Mattinson, General Secretary of the Fabian Society Sunder Katwala,
journalist and former political editor of the Observer Gaby Hinsliff, creator of
MyDavidCameron.com and The Other Taxpayers' Alliance Clifford Singer,Telegraph
columnist Mary Riddell, Labour blogger Ellie Gellard, as well as a handful of
parliamentarians to be revealed on the 1 0th May.
www.fabians.org.uk
24
The Unforeseen cost of Human Civilisation
Dr Spencer Wells is a scientist, author, and documentary filmmaker, who has
dedicated much of his career to studying humankind’ s family tree and closing the
gaps in our knowledge of human migration. Now he is spearheading the
Genographic Project, which aims to capture an invaluable genetic snapshot of
humanity before modern-day influences erase it forever. Dr Wells visits the RSA to trace
man's cultural inheritance from the moment ten thousand years ago, when our
species made a radical shift in its way of life: when we became farmers rather than
hunter-gatherers, setting in motion a momentous chain of events that could not have
been foreseen at the time.
www.thersa.org.uk

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