November 17, 2024 - 8:00am
Under the premiership of Keir Starmer, Downing Street has found itself embroiled in a variety of controversies. The latest has come within Number 10 itself, with the Government apologising this week after meat and alcohol were served at a Diwali celebration last month.
In recent times, there has been a fraying of relations between the Labour Party and British Hindu voters — especially those of Gujarati heritage in cities such as Leicester. A 2021 survey into British Indian attitudes found that a plurality of Hindu voters held a preference for the Conservatives over their supposed “natural party” — something which accelerated under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party.
A variety of factors drove this shift in the Corbyn era, such as the perception that Labour fraternised with questionable Muslim organisations, as well as the party’s oppositional stance towards Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This view was reinforced after Labour passed a 2019 party conference motion that supported “international intervention” in territorially disputed Kashmir — a motion submitted by local branches in towns such as Blackburn, Keighley, and Wakefield, with these three having notable populations of Pakistani Muslim origin.
While Starmer has sought to distance the Labour Party from the “Kashmir” issue and rebuild ties with British Indian voters, the only gain the Conservative Party made in its disastrous general election showing in July — under the UK’s first Hindu prime minister Rishi Sunak — was in Leicester East. A constituency which Labour had held since 1987, Leicester East elected Gujarati Hindu-origin Tory candidate Shivani Raja to Parliament. The seat incorporates the area of Belgrave, with nearly three in four residents in Belgrave South being Hindu. On Leicester City Council, Belgrave is represented by three Conservative Hindu councillors: Shital Adatia, Yogesh Chauhan, and Jaiantilal Gopal. Nationally, the demographic where the Tories lost the least support in the July election was British Asians, particularly Hindus.
While the Tories suffered a series of general election losses in the capital, Bob Blackman’s hold on Harrow East remained steady, winning 53.1% of the votes cast in a constituency where Indian-origin Hindus are a critically important voter group. In fact, Blackman — who has previously expressed support for Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and who took his oath in Parliament on the Bhagavad Gita as well as the King James Bible — increased his majority over Labour from 8,170 to 11,680 votes.
It is worth noting that during the 2022 English local elections the London borough of Harrow bucked the general national trend, with the Tories gaining control of the council from Labour — and eight councillors at the expense of Starmer’s party. While much of England has deserted the Tories in recent national and local elections, that has certainly not been the case in the Hindu-concentrated areas of London and Leicester.
While Starmer will hope to turn the tide, the Diwali blunder at Number 10 is symbolic of Labour’s growing disconnect with British Hindus, who in 2021 hit the one-million mark for the first time in the England and Wales census. It also exposes the often superficial nature of “pro-diversity” politics and so-called “minority outreach”, much of which is anything but thoughtful about the community in question. Any “faith and culture” adviser with a reasonable understanding of British Hindu practices, customs, and norms would know that serving meat — especially beef — would be hugely undesirable at a Diwali celebration. And while there are British Hindus who drink alcohol, many would not be in the business of serving and consuming alcoholic beverages at religious events associated with Diwali.
All the while, it is no surprise who has been arguably the most vocal MP in calling out Downing Street over its Diwali gaffe: the Conservative MP for Leicester East, Shivani Raja.
Dr Rakib Ehsan is a researcher specialising in British ethnic minority socio-political attitudes, with a particular focus on the effects of social integration and intergroup relations.
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SubscribeIt’s not a mistake. It’s absolutely deliberate. The Scottish and Welsh administrations have both reduced the voting age to 16, and believe that younger voters lap this stuff up. They also believe that in the current climate their own core voters will never switch to the Conservatives, and have nowhere else to go. Vulnerable women in prisons or refuges can go hang as far as these ministers are concerned: they will never be in one anyway.
Labour intends to lower the voting age in England as soon as they are in power.
I’m not so sure. My nieces, one age 30 is millennial and the other a Gen Z, are totally opposed. I wonder if its because they’re not students.
The younger one decided not to go to university because she didn’t want to have to listen to that. She has a good job.
The other is planning to study technology and had chosen a campus not given over to winery.
I’m very proud of them but its sad they’re missing the kind of intellectually exciting education I had.
Both agree that paedophilia plays a role in trans activist ideology.
Labour intends to lower the voting age in England as soon as they are in power.
I’m not so sure. My nieces, one age 30 is millennial and the other a Gen Z, are totally opposed. I wonder if its because they’re not students.
The younger one decided not to go to university because she didn’t want to have to listen to that. She has a good job.
The other is planning to study technology and had chosen a campus not given over to winery.
I’m very proud of them but its sad they’re missing the kind of intellectually exciting education I had.
Both agree that paedophilia plays a role in trans activist ideology.
It’s not a mistake. It’s absolutely deliberate. The Scottish and Welsh administrations have both reduced the voting age to 16, and believe that younger voters lap this stuff up. They also believe that in the current climate their own core voters will never switch to the Conservatives, and have nowhere else to go. Vulnerable women in prisons or refuges can go hang as far as these ministers are concerned: they will never be in one anyway.
Our current generation of politicians are just not serious. They have not outgrown student union politics and are ignoring the many severe difficulties the West currently faces, preferring instead to virtue signal about pronouns.
As I write, I am listening, live, to Zelensky’s speech to the UK Parliament. The contrast between real events and imaginary micro-aggressions couldn’t be starker.
I agree, but I’m hearing this “calm down dear, it’s just such a *silly* culture war, heavens, so toxic on *both* sides isn’t it” attitude from a lot of men and I’m increasingly enraged by it. Yes, wars are far more important than someone collapsing after being misgendered. That is presumably a given. But this is a very real issue for women. Our language is being bastardised and our speech is being curtailed. Our bitterly hard-won spaces, sports, opportunities, not to mention our sex lives, are being invaded. I’m sorry there aren’t enough exciting pictures of tanks involved for men to notice all this or take it seriously but I assure you, it is happening, it is very real and it is deeply concerning.
I agree, but I’m hearing this “calm down dear, it’s just such a *silly* culture war, heavens, so toxic on *both* sides isn’t it” attitude from a lot of men and I’m increasingly enraged by it. Yes, wars are far more important than someone collapsing after being misgendered. That is presumably a given. But this is a very real issue for women. Our language is being bastardised and our speech is being curtailed. Our bitterly hard-won spaces, sports, opportunities, not to mention our sex lives, are being invaded. I’m sorry there aren’t enough exciting pictures of tanks involved for men to notice all this or take it seriously but I assure you, it is happening, it is very real and it is deeply concerning.
Our current generation of politicians are just not serious. They have not outgrown student union politics and are ignoring the many severe difficulties the West currently faces, preferring instead to virtue signal about pronouns.
As I write, I am listening, live, to Zelensky’s speech to the UK Parliament. The contrast between real events and imaginary micro-aggressions couldn’t be starker.
We need clarity in law – sex is based on biology, gender is based on culture. People can change their gender (how they present themselves to the world) but not their sex. Men should not be able to change their legal sex by obtaining a gender recognition certificate. Then there would at least be some legal protection for biological women.
I am appalled at how many women don’t seem to think this is important. I guess they have been lucky in life and can’t imagine being locked up or in a rape crisis centre with a male bodied person, whatever they call themselves. Or perhaps they just don’t care about women in less fortunate circumstances.
There must also be legal protection for anyone who refuses to publicly go along with their self-delusion, too.
Sex Matters (Maya Forstater’s organsation) is trying to create that clarity in law by asking people in the UK to sign their official petition calling on the government to update the Equality Act 2010 to make clear that the protected characteristic of “sex” means biological sex, and is not modified by the holding of a gender recognition certificate.
You can sign the petition here: https://sex-matters.org/take-action/make-the-equality-act-clear/
There must also be legal protection for anyone who refuses to publicly go along with their self-delusion, too.
Sex Matters (Maya Forstater’s organsation) is trying to create that clarity in law by asking people in the UK to sign their official petition calling on the government to update the Equality Act 2010 to make clear that the protected characteristic of “sex” means biological sex, and is not modified by the holding of a gender recognition certificate.
You can sign the petition here: https://sex-matters.org/take-action/make-the-equality-act-clear/
We need clarity in law – sex is based on biology, gender is based on culture. People can change their gender (how they present themselves to the world) but not their sex. Men should not be able to change their legal sex by obtaining a gender recognition certificate. Then there would at least be some legal protection for biological women.
I am appalled at how many women don’t seem to think this is important. I guess they have been lucky in life and can’t imagine being locked up or in a rape crisis centre with a male bodied person, whatever they call themselves. Or perhaps they just don’t care about women in less fortunate circumstances.
The Labour Party has dug itself in on this issue and now finds it cannot back away. Totally kamikaze, and in thrall to the gender activists and pressure groups they have been funding for years.
The Labour Party has dug itself in on this issue and now finds it cannot back away. Totally kamikaze, and in thrall to the gender activists and pressure groups they have been funding for years.
“Your words have a dangerous impact, Laura Anne Jones, it harms people, the words that you say, the discrimination that comes out of your mouth,” she said with unconcealed contempt.
The now popular tactic of accusing people of harm for challenging your view. If anyone uses this on you, call them what they are, hysterical and a liar. Point out exactly the tactic they are using.
Absolutely right. Don’t stand for the specious nonsense and lies of the woke scum. Let them know how deeply you despise them.
Absolutely right. Don’t stand for the specious nonsense and lies of the woke scvm. Let them know how deeply you despise them.
Absolutely right. Don’t stand for the specious nonsense and lies of the woke scum. Let them know how deeply you despise them.
Absolutely right. Don’t stand for the specious nonsense and lies of the woke scvm. Let them know how deeply you despise them.
“Your words have a dangerous impact, Laura Anne Jones, it harms people, the words that you say, the discrimination that comes out of your mouth,” she said with unconcealed contempt.
The now popular tactic of accusing people of harm for challenging your view. If anyone uses this on you, call them what they are, hysterical and a liar. Point out exactly the tactic they are using.
Anything Wales and Scotland decide to do is always in opposite reaction to England, even to their own detriment.
Anything Wales and Scotland decide to do is always in opposite reaction to England, even to their own detriment.
I thought that such changes were beyond the scope of the Welsh assembly. Maybe it is just another case if virtue signalling knowing that nothing will come out of it.
Anyway, it does speak volumes about the quality of the people involved.
It is.
They seem to want their Section 35 moment.
Not content with throwing women under the bus, they are using Trans people to do it
It is.
They seem to want their Section 35 moment.
Not content with throwing women under the bus, they are using Trans people to do it
I thought that such changes were beyond the scope of the Welsh assembly. Maybe it is just another case if virtue signalling knowing that nothing will come out of it.
Anyway, it does speak volumes about the quality of the people involved.
We can put together well honed arguments, go in to in depth analysis etc but sometimes you just have to go straight to the nub of the issue. Too many of our elected officials are just stupid.
We can put together well honed arguments, go in to in depth analysis etc but sometimes you just have to go straight to the nub of the issue. Too many of our elected officials are just stupid.
Let the women of Wales revolt and get these idiots out at the next election.
Let the PEOPLE of Wales revolt, this is not just a women’s issue to be solved by women – again.
Let the PEOPLE of Wales revolt, this is not just a women’s issue to be solved by women – again.
Let the women of Wales revolt and get these idiots out at the next election.
I brought this to the attention of my local Assembly Member at a meeting last July regarding a video showing how children as young as four were being taught that your sex was immaterial and that you could be a boy, girl, non binary etc. Organisations such as Mermaids and Stonewall are promoting what 99.99% of the public consider to be nonsense and are receiving government grants for their poisonous propaganda. The Labour Party in Wales like the S N P in Scotland can ride rough shod over public opinion because it knows when push comes to shove its supporters will continue to vote for it come what may. The Welsh Government is deliberately picking a fight with Westminster and challenging the Secretary of State for Wales to block any GR bill coming from the Assembly. Such is the arrogance. There can be no doubt that as it seems likely there will be a Labour government at Westminster in two years time England will be saddled with similar legislation. since its leader and prospective Prime Minister seems unable to define a woman.
I brought this to the attention of my local Assembly Member at a meeting last July regarding a video showing how children as young as four were being taught that your sex was immaterial and that you could be a boy, girl, non binary etc. Organisations such as Mermaids and Stonewall are promoting what 99.99% of the public consider to be nonsense and are receiving government grants for their poisonous propaganda. The Labour Party in Wales like the S N P in Scotland can ride rough shod over public opinion because it knows when push comes to shove its supporters will continue to vote for it come what may. The Welsh Government is deliberately picking a fight with Westminster and challenging the Secretary of State for Wales to block any GR bill coming from the Assembly. Such is the arrogance. There can be no doubt that as it seems likely there will be a Labour government at Westminster in two years time England will be saddled with similar legislation. since its leader and prospective Prime Minister seems unable to define a woman.
“But then half the electorate is female”
So vote accordingly. There are a fair few men who would join in.
“But then half the electorate is female”
So vote accordingly. There are a fair few men who would join in.
“Why is Wales copying Scotland’s gender self-ID blunder?”
Inertia and momentum.
“Why is Wales copying Scotland’s gender self-ID blunder?”
Inertia and momentum.
Please encourage them. Flushing this nonsense into the open real world- al Scotland has exposed it for the nonsense it is.
Please encourage them. Flushing this nonsense into the open real world- al Scotland has exposed it for the nonsense it is.
Women’s rights are no longer sexy. They are boring and old-fashioned. Women got the right to vote about 100 years ago. Enough is enough. To defend myself, I stress that this is ‘politician-think’ not ‘me-think’. (If I believed that I would spend even longer in the shed every day.)
At the moment there is a belief in government and in the media that there are too many old people around. These oldies in Wales (maybe) always vote Labour to get back at Margaret Thatcher. What we need is to prepare the way for young people. Votes at 16, all TV programmes vetted as suitable for the under-30s, a possibility of doing anything you want and the government will support you to do it.
I would suggest another referendum, one which will please everybody except those old people. To pave the way the UK would have to rejoin the EU first. Then the referendum for ALL voters in the UK (16+ of course) – would you like the Scotland and Wales to leave the UK. I think that 75% would say ‘yes’. No more problems.
Women’s rights are no longer sexy. They are boring and old-fashioned. Women got the right to vote about 100 years ago. Enough is enough. To defend myself, I stress that this is ‘politician-think’ not ‘me-think’. (If I believed that I would spend even longer in the shed every day.)
At the moment there is a belief in government and in the media that there are too many old people around. These oldies in Wales (maybe) always vote Labour to get back at Margaret Thatcher. What we need is to prepare the way for young people. Votes at 16, all TV programmes vetted as suitable for the under-30s, a possibility of doing anything you want and the government will support you to do it.
I would suggest another referendum, one which will please everybody except those old people. To pave the way the UK would have to rejoin the EU first. Then the referendum for ALL voters in the UK (16+ of course) – would you like the Scotland and Wales to leave the UK. I think that 75% would say ‘yes’. No more problems.