Yesterday evening I was fortunate to be invited to a hustings meeting organised by the Muslim Forum of Middlesex. My thanks to Jamil Versi who not only chaired the event but was also one of the main organisers.
Before talking about the hustings meeting itself, you should know that the Conservatives did not turn up. There was no Tory MEP or candidate present.
Having said that, the event was lively and interesting, despite the lack of any right wing speakers. I was, in fact, the only MEP on the platform. The others – Chris Le Breton (Lib Dem), Shahar Ali (Green) and Sohale Rahman, an Independent, were all candidates rather than sitting MEPs. I have to say that gave me a good indication as to how the other political parties in the European election view the Muslim community.
Many varied topics wre raised, including the environment and climate change, Turkey’s accession to the European Union, which I support, and immigration and asylum. I was particularly pleased to talk about wearing the hijab since I signed a Written Declaration (similar to an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons) opposing the French ban on wearing the hijab in schools.
If any of you who were present would like to contact me further on any of the issues raised (or anything else), I would be happy to talk to you or exchange emails, depending on your preference
Filed under: Labour Party | Tagged: European Elections, Jamil Versi, Muslim Forum of Middlesex
