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We must win back Muslim voters says Hain
We must win back Muslim voters says Hain
May 16 2007
by Tomos Livingstone, Western Mail
LABOUR needs to change tack on foreign policy to win back voters who deserted the party over the Iraq war, Peter Hain said last night.
Welsh Secretary Mr Hain said “hundreds of thousands” of Muslims had been lost to Labour as a result of the worsening situation in Iraq.
The Neath MP has in the past criticised the failings of US foreign policy under President Bush, but has rarely made a direct link between the invasion of Iraq and a waning of support for the Government.
“I want... to bring back to Labour the hundreds of thousands of Muslim voters we lost in 2005, as a result of the Iraq war,” he said.
“We must combine a commitment to reducing inequality at home with a progressive foreign policy abroad.”
He spoke to an audience in Tower Hamlet – where ex-Labour man George Galloway is the MP – as the battle for the deputy leadership of Labour hotted up.
Mr Hain has the support of 49 MPs, enough to ensure his name will be on the ballot paper.
But Education Secretary Alan Johnson announced 64 supporters, while Harriet Harman and Hazel Blears both passed the initial 45-nominations hurdle.
MPs, unions and party members will have a third of the votes each, with the result known on June 24.
Backbencher John Cruddas reached the 45-MP mark late last night, while Hilary Benn has only 34 backers so far.
Mr Cruddas, a former Downing Street adviser and now MP for Dagenham, made his name as an anti-BNP campaigner, and is seen as Mr Hain’s main rival for support among unions and the party’s left-wing.
In an attempt to stress his own campaign credentials, Mr Hain told his audience, “We must ensure rising living standards are shared by all and tackle vital issues such as the availability of decent and affordable housing.
“We must also redouble our efforts to prevent the BNP spreading hate and fear in your community.”
Mr Johnson launched his campaign in central London yesterday, with the big-name backing of David Miliband and outgoing deputy John Prescott.
He said he could be a “force for unity” in the party.
The contest is being seen as a leadership battle by proxy, with Gordon Brown effectively assured of the top job. Blairite Ministers are throwing their weight behind Ms Blears, while key Brown allies have declared for Harriet Harman.
Of the 29 Welsh Labour MPs, Mr Hain has the support of 15, including himself. Ms Harman has five, Mr Johnson and Mr Cruddas two each and Ms Blears and Mr Benn one each. Three are undecided.
On foreign policy, Mr Hain said, “We must work to reform and strengthen international institutions like the UN so they can effectively promote democracy and human rights worldwide.
“In Northern Ireland rising prosperity and opportunity has successfully underpinned the drive for peace, I believe that a relentless campaign to improve the everyday lives of the Palestinians, Iraqis and throughout the Middle East offers the best possibility for a better future.”
Mr Hain’s campaign has been boosted by the restoration of devolution to Northern Ireland, where he is also Secretary of State.
His campaign is centred on constitutional reform, a “reducing poverty” test for all Government policies and action to tackle climate change.
He has the declared support of the Aslef and BFAWU unions, and well as regional sections of the GMB.
Mr Hain faces a battle with Mr Johnson for the support of the huge Unison public sector union. Officials from the union are understood to be meeting tonight to discuss which candidate to back.
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May 16 2007
by Tomos Livingstone, Western Mail
LABOUR needs to change tack on foreign policy to win back voters who deserted the party over the Iraq war, Peter Hain said last night.
Welsh Secretary Mr Hain said “hundreds of thousands” of Muslims had been lost to Labour as a result of the worsening situation in Iraq.
The Neath MP has in the past criticised the failings of US foreign policy under President Bush, but has rarely made a direct link between the invasion of Iraq and a waning of support for the Government.
“I want... to bring back to Labour the hundreds of thousands of Muslim voters we lost in 2005, as a result of the Iraq war,” he said.
“We must combine a commitment to reducing inequality at home with a progressive foreign policy abroad.”
He spoke to an audience in Tower Hamlet – where ex-Labour man George Galloway is the MP – as the battle for the deputy leadership of Labour hotted up.
Mr Hain has the support of 49 MPs, enough to ensure his name will be on the ballot paper.
But Education Secretary Alan Johnson announced 64 supporters, while Harriet Harman and Hazel Blears both passed the initial 45-nominations hurdle.
MPs, unions and party members will have a third of the votes each, with the result known on June 24.
Backbencher John Cruddas reached the 45-MP mark late last night, while Hilary Benn has only 34 backers so far.
Mr Cruddas, a former Downing Street adviser and now MP for Dagenham, made his name as an anti-BNP campaigner, and is seen as Mr Hain’s main rival for support among unions and the party’s left-wing.
In an attempt to stress his own campaign credentials, Mr Hain told his audience, “We must ensure rising living standards are shared by all and tackle vital issues such as the availability of decent and affordable housing.
“We must also redouble our efforts to prevent the BNP spreading hate and fear in your community.”
Mr Johnson launched his campaign in central London yesterday, with the big-name backing of David Miliband and outgoing deputy John Prescott.
He said he could be a “force for unity” in the party.
The contest is being seen as a leadership battle by proxy, with Gordon Brown effectively assured of the top job. Blairite Ministers are throwing their weight behind Ms Blears, while key Brown allies have declared for Harriet Harman.
Of the 29 Welsh Labour MPs, Mr Hain has the support of 15, including himself. Ms Harman has five, Mr Johnson and Mr Cruddas two each and Ms Blears and Mr Benn one each. Three are undecided.
On foreign policy, Mr Hain said, “We must work to reform and strengthen international institutions like the UN so they can effectively promote democracy and human rights worldwide.
“In Northern Ireland rising prosperity and opportunity has successfully underpinned the drive for peace, I believe that a relentless campaign to improve the everyday lives of the Palestinians, Iraqis and throughout the Middle East offers the best possibility for a better future.”
Mr Hain’s campaign has been boosted by the restoration of devolution to Northern Ireland, where he is also Secretary of State.
His campaign is centred on constitutional reform, a “reducing poverty” test for all Government policies and action to tackle climate change.
He has the declared support of the Aslef and BFAWU unions, and well as regional sections of the GMB.
Mr Hain faces a battle with Mr Johnson for the support of the huge Unison public sector union. Officials from the union are understood to be meeting tonight to discuss which candidate to back.
Link
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