How to vote. How not to vote!

 

Voting in local or national elections should represent the free-will of individuals. There should be no coercion of any sort.

One likes to think that people of 'sound mind' will weigh-up all the pros and cons of each candidate, or the party they stand for, and vote accordingly. They should not be told how to vote, or who to vote for, by someone in authority; especially in religious authority. That decision must remain with the individual, otherwise the process becomes a farce. 

Would I ever vote for someone that the Archbishop of Canterbury had told me to vote for? Of course I wouldn't.

People will always join political parties, and as a group attempt to influence others, but if there is religious coercion involved, it becomes pure sectarianism.

So, the UK was shocked, recently, to hear of an immigrant religious group who aim to openly influence the next UK General Election as well as any by-elections. Known as 'Muslim Vote', they plan to unseat a minimum of 55 Labour and Tory MP's in constituencies where there is a high population of Muslims. I've not heard by whom they wish to replace them, but probably by any Muslim-friendly candidate, regardless of what party he or she is standing for.

As the result of a Parliamentary vote last December, the group will advise (order) fellow Muslims to oust MP's who voted against, or abstained, on the question of a Gaza ceasefire. Friday Prayers will become political hustings.

Muslims, just like any other religious communities, should be allowed to think for themselves, and vote for whom they think will run the country the most efficiently. 

As proof of what is happening, the good folk of Rochdale (a heavily Muslim northern town, famous for its 'grooming gangs') has just elected the Communist supporter of Hamas, and a huge fan of the late Saddam Hussein, George Galloway (photo above with supporters), to become their new MP. A vote that effectively punished the two main parties for their more mainstream beliefs. Galloway represents 'The Workers Party of Britain'. Good luck to the poor people of Rochdale; what a joke!

Rishi's Friday evening speech outside No 10 (do watch it) echoed what most fair thinking Englishmen have been saying for years. He's been a tad late in saying what he said, but well done to him for his clarity. We really cannot let extremism undermine everything that our country has achieved.

As-salamu alaikum.