Friday 23 August 2013

How can the mainstream parties harness the BME vote?

An interesting article from the Guardian paper
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/the-northerner/2013/aug/23/black-ethnic-minorities-politics?CMP=twt_gu

Stop playing political football with black and ethnic minorities

........ (only part of the article below) ........

But how can the mainstream parties harness the BME vote? 

First, they can follow the example set by the Respect party in the lead-up to the Bradford West byelection. Party campaigners took to the streets of Bradford, galvanising the youth and women to the polling stations. They promised an end to Biraadri politics (akin to block vote of the unions), which was rife in Bradford. So complacent and self assured was the Labour party that its candidate did not feel the need to attend the public hustings. As expected, this did not go down well with the constituents of Bradford West.

Respect recruited Asian women, targeted community centres, visited homes, sent campaigners who spoke Punjabi and Urdu and most importantly asked the constituents what they wanted from their representatives. This one-to-one strategy empowered a sector of the community that had for too long been marginalised and disenfranchised. Up until then, the men of the house decided which party the family as a collective would vote for. The women of Bradford seized this opportunity and quickly spread the word that there was finally a party that appreciated their involvement.

Such was this appreciation that it was reported that it was the women of Bradford West who won the byelection for George Galloway. Sadly he quickly lost that support but the message was clear, Asian women relished the opportunity to take part in politics.

Let this serve as a lesson to mainstream parties: you can win the votes of the Asian women by engaging them in dialogue, by addressing their concerns and assuring them that their voices are valuable. And by Asian women I mean ALL Asian women, those who are educated, uneducated, those who work and those who are stay-at-home mums and carers.

Secondly, mainstream parties need to engage BME youth, many of whom worry about rising tuition fees, lack of employment opportunities, the glass ceilings they will encounter because of their backgrounds, racism and the discrimination they face.

I know from my own experience growing up with limited Asian role models, I was told many a time that I faced a tough road ahead not just because I was a British Pakistani female but also because I wore a head scarf. It is stereotypes and mentalities like this that parties have to address if they want to secure the minority vote. Muslim youth in particular feel marginalised due to the rampant islamophobic discourse evident in mainstream media and the public arena. This needs to be tackled in order for young people to feel confident that their concerns are heard and that their community is not scapegoated.

For our society to be truly democratic and representative it needs to reflect the diversity of our communities. Parties need to engage with the BME community in order to demonstrate that their voices are valuable and that they have a significant contribution to offer.

The Asian community in UK has a vast number of successful entrepreneurs who play a significant positive role in the UK economy.It is now clear that their way of creating wealth and employment is being appreciated by mainstream business and government to create global networks in the growing economies of the east and away from recession-ridden Europe

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Your Britain Your Say - Interview with Stuart Andrew MP for Pudsey



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Questions answered:

What influenced you to come into politics and why did you choose the Conservative party?

Since entering Parliament what has been your proudest achievement?

What would you say are the biggest challenges facing Pudsey and what are you doing to tackle them?

Do you think the plans for the HS2 link between the north and the south would be a benefit for your local constituents?

With the rise to £9,000 in tuition fee, is there anything in the pipeline to subsidise this in the future?


There is a lot of discussion at grassroots level about the benefit system and who is entitled to benefits. Do you think when an individual comes here from an EU country they should be entitled to benefits?  

Can you give us some more information about the blocking pornography/explicit images which the Prime Minister is campaigning for?

With regards to festivals and religious days to the faiths in your area, how do you communicate with the local residents on that day to pass on your best wishes?

The purpose of the Your Britain Your Say initiative is to encourage the BAME voters in particular to vote for the party that best represents their views; is there anything you would like to say to the voters.

Friday 9 August 2013

Azaadi (Freedom) rap at Khalsa Primary School camp Slough 2013







This is the moment, this is the time
Respect to the Gurus to the One sublime
Seva, Simran & Sacrifice
This is the Truth, This is no HYPE

Sacrifices made by valiant Sikhs
For freedom, justice, to keep the peace
They didn’t fight for wealth or land
Always offering a helping HAND

Azaadi – Freedom is the call
Azaadi – Walk strong and tall
Azaadi – Is the Gurus way
Azaadi – Don’t back away
Azaadi – In what we do
Azaadi – In what we say and choose

Guru Nanak, against all odds
Stood up to Babar, whatever the COST
Jo To Prem Khelan Ka Chao, Sir Dhar Talee Galee Meri Ayo
It maarag pair dhireeje, Sir Dheeje Kaan Na Keeje

If you want to play, the game of love
Don’t ponder and wither, don’t look above
Don’t be afraid, you are not alone
Follow my path, this is your HOME

Azaadi – Freedom is the call
Azaadi – Walk strong and tall
Azaadi – Is the Gurus way
Azaadi – Don’t back away
Azaadi – In what we do
Azaadi – In what we say and choose

The freedom of women, was his task
The Sati & Pardah, this is a farce
Guru Amar Dass spoke loud and clear
For all to listen and all to HEAR

Guru Arjan Dev for the right to believe
Bowed to the Will, for us to achieve
The courage and honour to keep my faith
To live with passion, pride and GRACE


Azaadi – Freedom is the call
Azaadi – Walk strong and tall
Azaadi – Is the Gurus way
Azaadi – Don’t back away
Azaadi – In what we do
Azaadi – In what we say and choose

Lighting a Diva or be it a candle
Free your mind of filth and scandal
Guru Hargobind set the trend
To think of others, to help and DEFEND

The freedom of Langar continues to amaze
Free for all and open all days
Whatever your background, caste or race
We are all equal in this special PLACE

Azaadi – Freedom is the call
Azaadi – Walk strong and tall
Azaadi – Is the Gurus way
Azaadi – Don’t back away
Azaadi – In what we do
Azaadi – In what we say and choose

Malcolm-X, Luther King and Nelson Mandela
Gandhis struggle and his endeavour
Constant talk of all these people
Their school of thought, “We are all EQUAL”

Hear up, take note of a bigger truth
Sis Ganj in Delhi, is the living proof
Guru Tegh Bahadur to protect humanity
Embraced shaheedi, this was INFINITY,

He took on the challenge and spoke the truth
The freedom to believe, there was no truce
He stood firm, for a noble cause
He did not falter, he did not PAUSE

Azaadi – Freedom is the call
Azaadi – Walk strong and tall
Azaadi – Is the Gurus way
Azaadi – Don’t back away
Azaadi – In what we do
Azaadi – In what we say and choose


This is my turban, this is my crown
I do not cry and I do not frown
I stand before you, fearless and proud
Be it alone or in a CROWD

The Gracious Leader, Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Embarked on a mission, to set us free
Drink this Amrit and keep these five
Ultimate freedom, you are now ALIVE

Azaadi – Freedom is the call
Azaadi – Walk strong and tall
Azaadi – Is the Gurus way
Azaadi – Don’t back away
Azaadi – In what we do
Azaadi – In what we say and choose

World War 1 & World War 2
We led from the front, we stood by you
Churchill saluted, the role Sikhs played
Why now the questions, why such a GAZE?

We are all British with a sense of pride
Standing up for truth, we never hide
Sava Laakh Se Ek Laraaon
Tabe Gobind Singh Naam Kahaoon

Azaadi – Freedom is the call
Azaadi – Walk strong and tall
Azaadi – Is the Gurus way
Azaadi – Don’t back away
Azaadi – In what we do
Azaadi – In what we say and choose

Eternal freedom is to tame the five
Attachment Lust Ego, Anger and pride
Deposit your account with the Gurus thought
Listen to the Hukam and ‘What Was TAUGHT’

Nishaan Sahib flies with all its glory
Sending a message, telling a story
Be humble, be kind and always true
This is the message that we sing to YOU!


The struggle and battle, continues today
The fight for justice, this is the way
Hawara, Bhullar, and so many more
Fighting the system, right to the CORE

Azaadi – Freedom is the call
Azaadi – Walk strong and tall
Azaadi – Is the Gurus way
Azaadi – Don’t back away
Azaadi – In what we do
Azaadi – In what we say and choose

Our Living Guru, Guru Granth Sahib Jee
Our Guide, Our Torch, to help us see
To help us deal with all our foes
Slowly erasing, all our WOES

Listen up take note, of the following words
A powerful statement, that must be heard
As I finish reciting, the daily Ardas –
-          May humanity prosper, we say from the HEART

Nanak Naam Chardhi Kala
Tere Bhaane Sarbat Da Bhalla
Nanak Naam Chardhi Kala
Tere Bhaane Sarbat Da Bhalla

Azaadi – Freedom is the call
Azaadi – Walk strong and tall
Azaadi – Is the Gurus way
Azaadi – Don’t back away
Azaadi – In what we do
Azaadi – In what we say and choose

Azaadi – Let’s sing together
Azaadi – Forever and ever
Azaadi – This is the truth
Azaadi – The Living Proof
Azaadi – Let’s walk the walk
Azaadi – Let’s talk the talk

Monday 5 August 2013

Your Britain Your Say - Interview with Richard Harrington



All rights reserved. Obtain written permission by e-mailing YourBritainYourSay@gmail.com before reproducing for personal and educational use. In all cases the video must remain unedited.

Stay updated via:

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Questions answered:
 

What influenced you to come into politics and why did you choose the Conservative party?

Since entering Parliament what has been your proudest achievement?

What would you say are the biggest challenges facing Watford and what are you doing to tackle them?

Are you supportive of the Education Curriculum and do you think that the Curriculum should be a cross-party agreement rather than it changing each time there is a new Government? 

From canvassing a lot of immigrants and migrant voters feel that the issues important to them are not being raised, what is the Conservative party doing to tackle this misconception?

Do you think we should trade with countries like China and India where there is a lack of human rights? 

With regards to festivals and religious days to the faiths in your area, how do you communicate with the local residents on that day to pass on your best wishes?

Is there a lot of social inclusion in Watford?

The purpose of the Your Britain Your Say initiative is to encourage the BAME voters in particular to vote for the party that best represents their views; is there anything you would like to say to the voters?