British Asians are not a homogeneous mass. Naturally one need not expect it to be. But with a population of over 3 million in Great Britain, and especially with a sizeable voting strength in dozens of marginal seats, they have a very heavy responsibility as well as opportunity. Though the political parties are concentrating their campaigns on issues of national importance, they are also aware of the crucial role the ethnic minorities, especially Asians, can play in several consistuencies.
Asian Voice received feedback from a substantial number of our readers on various issues of concern to them:
Immigration
Lets make one thing very clear - most, if not all, British Asians settled in this country do not support illegal immigrants or do not desire a borderless immigration policy. If non Asians especially of European stock are very worried about the large number of new immigrants and the infrastructure required ie housing, education, health care etc, without any doubt the anxiety of all Brit residents are almost the same.
The worst worry for British Asians is that increasingly, over the years, immigration is becoming a sensational topic for the media especially for the Conservative party. A person of the calibre and sensitivity of the type of David Cameron also jumped on the band wagon immediately on becoming Prime Minister. His ill-considered and unrealistic claims of the new immigrant figures raised expectation mainly of his own voters. Now the facts are clear. The largest number of new immigrants arriving in this country are from the EU countries. Let’s be frank it is virtually impossible for Britain to close this door. Now the inability of the Cameron government to reduce the number of immigrants has given a golden opportunity for the likes of UKIP.
Another aspect which is difficult to understand or appreciate, is the day to day unwarranted apprehension of the permanently settled British non whites especially Asians. In their place of work or the localities in which they live very often they are singled out. A few years back an irresponsible political party saw no shame in having vans driving through the high street proclaiming about the repatriation of immigrants. In their day-to-day lives the non white British are made to feel unwarranted and unwanted and there are instances where some verbal provocations are taking place.
Immigration issue for all practical purposes is either dead or this country, like several others, can not do without the infusion of the new workers especially skilled but even unskilled jobs. It needs no big research to find out that a ‘local man’ or as they used to say in colonial times ‘a native’ doesn’t like to do some of the more menial jobs.
Now why don’t the British politicians accept what they cant change? William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Howard all tried to win votes with the big howl of ‘immigrants’ but they failed. It appears that Cameron’s Conservative party may not reap the vote bank because of their hue and cry over immigrants.
At worst the Tory party’s irresponsible attitude may play into the hands of UKIP. It is not likely but also not impossible that the Conservatives may win not even the number of seats they last won. In 2010 the Conservative party was short of 27 seats for a clear majority and had to work with the Lib Dems with 57 seats and offer them proportionately lot more positions in both the Cabinet and Government.
The Lib Dems have surely played a very important role on many policies’ moderations in the government. But if on 7th May the Conservatives do not receive a clear majority and the Lib Dems does much badly than last time then where will the political parties assemble the requisite number for a majority.
Up until recently Scotland was predominantly Labour. Almost 70% of the MPs in the House of Commons from Scotland came from within the Labour party. Right now the Conservatives have more or less been wiped out of Scotland and the SNP has every hope and chance for a thumping majority of Westminster MPs. This situation will be like ‘as you sow, so you reap’ for the Conservatives.
Economy and unemployment
The second subject of profound importance to the Asians is the economy. The Conservatives’ claim that on average British citizen is better of by £200 annum under their rule but Labour equally has come out with detailed calculations that if the VAT increases and other benefits reductions are considered together an average British citizen is surely much more poorer then he was in 2010.
On the whole British Asians feel that the Conservatives’ claims of better economic management are hollow. Within the Asian community there are groups like Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, who have vast differences in their economic involvement. Indians are slightly more successful especially in self employment, entrepreneurship and professions. They also predominantly own their own residences. Pakistanis are getting slightly better but the worst scenario is within the Bangladeshi community in which mainly their women do not work, and in areas like Tower Hamlets 50% of the Bangladeshi community depend on benefits. 25% employed Pakistani men are mini cab drivers. Why? Do they really rejoice or are they so helpless that they have to accept whatever is available? For the unemployed or those in menial jobs this economic success is nothing but hot air.
We also hear about the problems of the shopkeepers in the paperwork and bureaucracy that are becoming more and more time consuming. Several people have complained that they are doing unpaid paperwork for the government departments both central and local. There are instances where ‘illegal workers’ have been found in some restaurants or other businesses. Nobody wants to condone such activity but some more humane approach about the detection, detention and the publicity could be handled more sensibly.
Indians, by and large, are supposed to be the smallest percentage amongst the unemployed in the ethnic minorities. There are possibly more than one explanation. In some Indian communities to remain on benefits is taboo. Irrespective of your education take any job that is the peer pressure. Asian youngsters with comparable educational qualification have to work a lot harder to get a job and even their rewards are substantially less then white employees. This is not a mere belief but has been proven to be the case according to several studies.
Any government must ensure that there is a level playing field for all especially in education and employment.
Education
Proportionately education is becoming more important within the Asian community who were not so well known until now but even Bangladeshis and Pakistanis are catching up. The most complaints come regarding improper and incorrect career advice. In some educational establishments the Asian children are not given appropriate motivation but some time even unintentional comments and comparisons are being made that can become demotivating. The new government should look at this problem very carefully. We do not need a younger generation which is dissatisfied. Such a young person can be really susceptible to extremism or other aspects of disloyalty.
As to the incoming students from India, the numbers have almost halved to the disadvantage of several universities and other reputable colleges. In the last decade or so foreign students, mainly from India in their thousands have lost millions of pounds and precious life span as they entered the colleges which were not properly approved or supervised. The British government has not compensated the victims of such daylight robbery and they are a shame on the claims of a civilised society.
Education is a big business. It is world wide, treated as a business and the fact is that the Indian, Chinese and other foreign students do not come to Britain and instead go to other countries such as America, Canada, Australia. Surprisingly, no political party has yet raised their voice on this important issue which has economic and other benefits.
Health
Like every other resident of this country Asians need medical care. The NHS is a unique service. By and large Asians do not do better or worse than other patients but their dietary needs and their language limitations are creating some special problems for Asians who are above average suffering from diabetes, heart, kidney and stroke problems. Add to this the problem of Asian elders who have yet to reconcile themselves to be at par with their neighbour or fellow patient.
Social care is also a concern of a large number of respondents. With the severe budgetary cuts the local councils have to ration their resources and we have heard of a large number of people not receiving proper attention primarily due to the colour of their skin.
British Asians have also serious concerns about the law and order. We have to accept that the petty crimes like muggings have reduced but robbery and theft have not gone down. With the illogical reduction in the number of police on the beat and other allied support services, an average household say in Harrow (with nearly 30% Indian residents) have enormous stress and strain to deal with in regards to these problems.
Even in the defence services more and more Asians would like to join the Army, Air Force and Navy. Either they are not properly inspired or welcomed or their special martial traditions are not recognised.
British Asians are proud and privileged to be living in Great Britain. A tiny number of disloyal or extremist orientated individuals are a big burden on some Asian communities. Before the whole community is named or shamed or castigated, the people in the position of power must be very careful to look at the picture much more from a detached view point. Today’s Asian youngsters are tomorrow’s full grown British citizens. It is the responsibility and prerogative of the politicians to ensure that 5-7% of the population is involved, energise and empowered rather than made to feel apart because of the uniform (colour of the skin) the wear. Equally British Asians have to make their voices heard and ensure that they do vote on 7th May and vote intelligently. Caste or religion are not the main criteria. The calibre of the candidate and the policies of the parties have to be considered more carefully. The mainstream political parties have still got some time to ensure that a concerted effort is made to harness the Asian vote.
- CB
