British-Bangladeshis should stay involved in mainstream UK politics and elections, for both the community’s interests and their own.

George Galloway, a British-Scottish politician and leader of the Respect Party, is widely discussed and criticized for his strategic behavior and outspoken views on global politics. He is a vocal supporter of Palestinian independence and has consistently stood for the rights of freedom-seeking people. Yet, his various political activities often leave one bewildered.

This coming Thursday, July 4th, Galloway has thrown his support behind an independent candidate of Bangladeshi descent in the national election in London. This candidate once belonged to the Labour Party. George Galloway has been making statements and delivering speeches, asking British Bangladeshi voters to vote for this incompetent candidate! Galloway himself was once a member of the Labour Party. For them, personal identity seems to have overshadowed party loyalty.

The candidate Galloway is supporting stands in favor of those who oppose Bangladesh’s independence and those who committed war crimes during the liberation war. War criminals’ supporters in Britain are also backing this candidate. George Galloway, a former socialist Labour member, is now supporting individuals who support war criminals charged with crimes during Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. This candidate has sympathy for those war criminals sentenced by the war tribunal court in Bangladesh, which was established by the constitutional law of Bangladesh.

What a contradiction! For his own benefit, he is seeking votes for a candidate who opposes our liberation war and supports its adversaries.

The current Labour Party leader has significantly altered the party, marginalizing left-wing MPs and stripping former leader Jeremy Corbyn of his whip, despite 43 years as an MP. Party members in Islington had hoped to select Corbyn as their candidate, but Starmer did not allow it.

Nevertheless, all Bangladeshi-origin voters in London’s Tower Hamlets, as well as all forces supporting the liberation war of Bangladesh, are urged to vote again for the current MP, Rushanara Ali, ensuring her victory. It’s crucial to defeat candidates who support war criminals and oppose justice for those crimes.

To the British Bangladeshi community in London: stay involved in mainstream politics and increase your participation for the benefit of both the community and individual interests. Sectarian tendencies can be dangerous for you. You could become targets for right-wing anti-immigration groups. Across Europe, right-wing anti-immigration forces are gaining strength. In France, the right-wing is on the verge of coming to power, a concern highlighted in the recent election results, with the final outcome to be known on July 7.

In Britain, right-wing political influence is also growing. The Conservatives are becoming more conservative, and the Labour Party is shifting to the right. If you’re not cautious, you face risks ahead. Beware of those engaging in Bangladeshi-style corrupt politics; avoid falling into their traps and stay aligned with the mainstream, whether Conservative, Labour, or Lib-Dem. Avoid religious-based divisiveness. To amplify your voice and protect your rights, stay united. This is essential. Exercise your valuable vote and stay with the mainstream.

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Author: Nurur Rahim, Ex-Head Teacher