The United Kingdom hosts the largest Pakistani community in Europe, with over 1.6 million British Pakistanis recorded in the 2021 Census. British Pakistanis represent the second-largest ethnic minority group in the UK and constitute the second-largest sub-group among British Asians. Furthermore, they rank among the largest Overseas Pakistani communities, comparable in size to the Pakistani diaspora in the UAE.
As the UK heads towards the general election, issues like the NHS, cost-of-living crisis, economy and housing crisis are front and centre as factors of contention. For the minority communities, another issue that stands out is the currently increasing stance of islamophobia in the country and political parties and this will play majorly into how the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities vote.
Here, Dr Parveen Akhtar, Deputy Head of Department at Politics, History and International Relations (PHIR), Aston University discusses the needs and concerns of the Pakistani diaspora and how their votes are currently leaning.
What do you think is the Pakistani community in the UK looking for when it comes to the next leader of the country? What issues within the community require urgent attention?
The Pakistani community in the UK, like everyone else in the country at the moment is looking for a leader who can provide hope and opportunities. Things which seemed perfectly reasonable not so long ago, being able to see your local GP or being able to get on the property ladder, functioning public services from education to health to transport seem to be at present extraordinary unmeetable demands. Internationally, the issue of the conflict in the Middle East and the call for a ceasefire in Gaza is an important issue for many too. And whilst traditionally, the British Pakistani community has been loyal to the Labour Party, viewing it as the party most hospitable to immigrants and social justice, the Labour Pary’s early stance, not calling for a ceasefire has left many disillusioned.
Does the political stance of different parties regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict affect the voting trends, especially considering the accusations of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism against both Labour and the Conservatives?
It was clear from the results of the local elections on in May that some in the Muslim community had turned away from Labour, in large part due to the party’s stance on Gaza. Consequently, we have seen a rise in the number of Independent candidates standing alongside the main political parties. In that sense, this election will have a significant number of candidates standing as Independent candidates with a significant focus on the issue of Gaza. The Labour Party will potentially lose a number of voters to these Independent candidates.
What is your opinion on the Conservative Party's immigration stance
A clear strategy of the Conservative Party is to try to stave off losing votes to the Reform Party. So, it will continue to focus on issues such as immigration, which will appeal to those tempted by reform.
