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| The Ballot is your Bullet - use it wisely |
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| Tuesday, 25 March 2008 | |
 London decides on its mayor on 1st May 2008. This is your chance to step up to the plate and make your voice be heard on the issues that really matter to you.It's between Ken and Boris. Let’s not fool ourselves here. This is a 2-horse race – it's between Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson. You have good old Boris Johnson. Except he’s not “good”. This is a man who demonised me and you by saying that Islamophobia is a “natural reaction”; this is a man who opposed the Kyoto Treaty on climate change; this is a man who openly insults black people and then has the cheek to turn around and say it was somehow “taken out of context”. Then you have our defending champion - Ken Livingstone – a man who speaks out on behalf of Muslims; a man who put people’s lives before business when he opposed the expansion of Heathrow; a man who cut carbon emissions in London and tackles environmental issues. The choice seems obvious, doesn’t it? LEARN TO THINK! Now, I’ve seen several comments that try to convince me and you to give our 1st vote to other candidates from the Respect Party, the Liberals, the Greens, and everyone in between. We might respect their ideologies and their stance. However, these are the people who have no chance whatsoever of winning! A vote for their candidates in this election is a vote thrown away and handed to Boris. They try to convince me and you that as long they give Ken their 2nd preference vote, he will still get elected and everything will be fine. Wrong. Current polls show Boris getting 49% of the votes. The target to win is 50%. We are 1% away from having a racist as our mayor. That 2nd preference will count for nothing if he gets that 1%. If you do not put Ken as your 1st preference, the result will be that Boris Johnson will be voted into office. Knowledge is Power: Understand how the voting system works. The voting system for electing the Mayor of London may seem confusing, but when you know the system it's very simple: On the 1st of May, you will have to put down 2 choices on who you want as the mayor of London. Those 2 choices will be your 1st preference, and your 2nd preference. On the pink ballot paper, you will have a list of all the candidates, and two columns of boxes. In the 1st column, you will mark a cross next to the name of your 1st preference. In the 2nd column, you will mark a cross next to the name of your 2nd preference. If a candidate has 50% of the 1st preference votes, s/he will be the mayor of London. ONLY IF no one has 50% of the 1st preference votes, the 2nd preference votes are added on. In this case, the person with the most 1st and 2nd preference votes will be the mayor of London. Don’t throw your vote away. If you don’t stand up and be counted, then the conditions that we, as Muslims, find ourselves in today will only get worse and we will have no one to blame but ourselves. You can’t afford to sit at home and let this opportunity pass you by. The few seconds it takes you to put that cross next to the names on that list will decide our fate. Make your voice be heard. Vote.          Readers have left 27 comments.
Tahira:
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Thank God not all Muslims fall for the trap of marginalisation and realise that, just like the Zionists, we must focus on the 3 main parties - real power to make change happen rather than just feel-good rhetoric!
(1)
2008-03-25 07:09:45
A A:
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Thankfully some of my friends in London understand that it is a two horse race and will not be voting for Boris. They are spreading the word to their friends and colleagues.
I would urge everyone else to keep up the pressure because there are many still ignorant about this political race or have not even registered to vote yet. There's no time for Apathay Londoners. You get to decide who is going to be in control of your city. If boris gets in everyone suffers. Register to vote and give KEN LIVINGSTONE your support as he is the only one with a chance of winning who has some ethics.
(2)
2008-03-25 10:20:56
thank you:
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jazaakallah for this article mpac, it's important we all understand the effectiveness of voting.
insha'allah i will be out there on the 1st of May to vote for Livingstone and will urge/force my family to do so too :D
(3)
2008-03-25 11:31:56
Voting is haraam:
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Why should Muslims vote for Livingstone - him and Boris are just the same.
Muslims should NOT vote this election. The only solution is the Khilaafah.
(4)
2008-03-25 11:34:37
well done:
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nicely written mpac, you're right that it is between Ken and Boris and we should be out there to support Ken.
My concern is that Muslims will vote for some other random candidate (like Brian Haw) and basically give Boris the victory.
(5)
2008-03-25 11:36:53
A A:
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Why should Muslims vote for Livingstone - him and Boris are just the same. — Voting is haraamMuslims should NOT vote this election. The only solution is the Khilaafah. Nice try HT. We now know where your interests lie. How much are you being paid by the zionists neocons this time eh? Everyone know it would be haram to let a racist in who would cause harm to Muslims when you could have stopped it. UK Muslims are wiser and more informed now. They know they have to vote to have a say in their own future. Guys like you are all talk and your misinformed or malicious policies have caused Muslims to suffer and be marginalised. London Muslims will vote whether you like it or not.
(6)
2008-03-25 13:37:14
Ali:
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I am not in HT but understand their argument.
Basically the issue is, whether voting is permisable and in what circumstances. rather then limit your islamic choice by voting for either one of these two, you have to make a third choice and that is an ISlamic goverment and ssytem. Secondly you can abrogate your responsibility to vote, because the elected offical who owes loyalty to the queen and not Allah may be involved in legislating against Muslims and Islamic principles. thirdly, on the note of legislation, these laws are man made laws which is the meaning of democracy 'power of the people' yet as Muslims we know Allah is the sole legislator and is all powerful. may allah show you the correct path.
(7)
2008-03-25 14:40:44
LAYLA:
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Apathetic Muslims in Britain - wake up for goodness sake and vote for Ken !
If you do not vote strategically and vote other than Ken then each vote will go to the racist Islamaphobe Boris Johnston. Each Muslim vote counts
(8)
2008-03-25 14:56:29
Gary Dunion:
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They try to convince me and you that as long they give Ken their 2nd preference vote, he will still get elected and everything will be fine. Wrong. Current polls show Boris getting 49% of the votes. The target to win is 50%. I agree that Boris Johnson as mayor would be a total disaster for community relations and the situation of Muslim Londoners. You are right to be cautious. But there is no extra risk in voting for Siān Berry of the Greens first and giving your second vote to Livingstone. As you say, Johnson would need to get 50% of the vote to end the race in the first round. If he achieves this, the vote Livingstone achieves at the same time is immaterial. All that's important here is that you do turn out to vote, and that you do not vote for Johnson. It is in the second round where tactical voting is necessary. We are advising our supporters to put Livingstone second as, if Siān has been knocked out in the first round, it will be Ken Livingstone who is best placed to beat Johnson. Any second votes for Livingstone at this stage will be added to his 1st round tally and count at full value. On the other hand, if you vote Livingstone first, and he is, as expected, in the second round, your second vote will never count at all and you will have lost the opportunity to send, for example, a message of opposition to the national Labour government. The best vote to send a strong signal for a fairer London, and maximise the chance of stopping Johnson, is Siān 1, Ken 2. Thanks for your time, Gary Dunion Chief Press Officer Green Party
(9)
2008-03-25 17:46:02
Sultan (Oxford):
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Why should Muslims vote for Livingstone - him and Boris are just the same. — Voting is haraamMuslims should NOT vote this election. The only solution is the Khilaafah. Assalaam walaikum and Greetings. It really winds me up when some Muslims live in the UK and declare 'voting is haram' and yet, they have no issues 1. Working in a 'kafir' state 2. Claiming (un-deserved) benefits from the 'kafirs' 3. Claiming (un-derserved) Housing from the 'kafirs' 4. Claiming 'protection' from the 'Kafirs' etc, etc. If you do not like it here, then please go to an Islamic State. But you won't, will you ? Because the so-called Islamic states that exist today do not give you the freedom of expression, the security, the benefits, that these 'kaffir' states give you or your families. Qualities that are based upon Islam but something that Islamic States seem to have forgotten. There is nothing Haram in voting. It is Muslims like yourselves who (through the lack of voting or by your conduct) makes the likes of BNP and other far-right extremists (or undesirables) come into Politics. And then you whinge about how come such and such a candidate won (when he is anti-Islam). When one has a choice between 2 evils, where there will be loss irrespective of what you do, then one chooses the path that has the minimal loss. (Not that I'm declaring 'voting' as being an 'evil') So, NOT VOTING is more damaging than VOTING. You may not 100% like the candidate you are voting for, and he may not be 100% behind the Muslims all the time, but he/she is probably much better than the alternative. That is what voting is all about. Voting is not about burying your head in the sand and praying that the right person comes to power. Wasalaams and regards
(10)
2008-03-25 17:59:51
Zubair:
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Why should Muslims vote for Livingstone - him and Boris are just the same. — Voting is haraamMuslims should NOT vote this election. The only solution is the Khilaafah. Here they go again. HT do nothing useful than go on marches and shout slogans of "Khilaafah, khilaafah!". They'd rather march against Saudi monarchs than take part in demos in support of their Muslim brothers & sisters in Palestine. Alhamdulillah that they are just a marginal voice even amongst Muslims. Insha'allah they'll stay like that and wither away. Way to go MPAC for this brilliant article.
(11)
2008-03-25 18:56:54
Colin the Athiest:
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Boris Johnson may well be right-wing, he may be a racist, although I do think these charges may be a little trumped-up for political reasons.
Ken Livingstone on the other hand is an admitted whiskey drinker while working (against internal rules), supports al-Qadawari (a known radical who supports suicide bombers), runs a corrupt administration (Lee Jasper for example). Why would you want such a man in government?
(12)
2008-03-25 20:58:05
Mary:
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As long as you give Ken your second vote (we have TWO don't forget and it is the second preferences that will decide the winner) then you are free to vote with your conscience first and foremost.
I will be doing just that and voting for Lindsey German, who has been one of the most vocal opponents of Labour's wars over the past 7 years - the Stop the War Coalition which she helped to found is the biggest and most important mass movement that this country has ever seen. Don't be scared by the fearmongering Labour party diehards that try to put you off using your first vote wisely - Ken will NOT lose as long as everyone gives him their 2nd vote. Boris can NOT win by first votes alone. Vote for peace, justice and equality first and foremost - for for Lindsey German.
(13)
2008-03-25 23:16:40
Tahira:
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They try to convince me and you that as long they give Ken their 2nd preference vote, he will still get elected and everything will be fine. Wrong. Current polls show Boris getting 49% of the votes. The target to win is 50%. I agree that Boris Johnson as mayor would be a total disaster for community relations and the situation of Muslim Londoners. You are right to be cautious. But there is no extra risk in voting for Siān Berry of the Greens first and giving your second vote to Livingstone... I'm afraid because this election is so close with Boris on 49% according to the latest poll there is a BIG risk if you give your first preference vote to anyone but Livingstone that Boris get 50% and win outright before second preference votes ever count, when your vote could have stopped this I really admire a lot of the Green Party policies and will be voting 1st preference Ken Livingstone, 2nd preference Green. party
(14)
2008-03-26 07:03:15
Gary Dunion:
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Tahira,
Thank you for you kind words. To clarify, remember that the 50% rule is 50% of all votes. Either he gets half the votes or he doesn't - the vote that Livingstone gets at the same time makes no difference. What Muslims, and indeed all London voters, can do to reduce the risk of a first-round Johnson win is to make sure they turn out and vote. That 50% is half of all votes cast - so the more total votes there are (for any party at all) - the more votes Johnson needs and the harder it is for him to reach that figure. Any vote that is not for Boris Johnson contributes equally to him failing to reach 50% in the first round. There are two rounds which means two Johnson threats. Round 1: Johnson seeks 50%. The only thing you can do is vote for anyone but him; the specific candidate you choose at this stage makes no difference to the likelihood of beating Johnson. Round 2: Top two candidates go head-to-head. Your best chance of beating Johnson now is giving your 2nd vote to the candidate most likely to still be in the race. Polls suggest that that candidate is Ken Livingstone. That's why we are urging everyone who wants to avoid a London under Johnson to vote Siān 1, Ken 2. Remember also that you have two votes for the Assembly as well as your votes for Mayor, and you can re-elect the Green Assembly Members, and also elect Siān to the Assembly, by voting Green on the peach-coloured ballot paper for the "London-wide" members. Thanks again, Gary www.sianformayor.org.uk
(15)
2008-03-26 11:42:35
m:
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well done sultan(oxford) for showing the hypocrisy that all bigots and rascists of any religion have..as for ken livingstone just because he says the right things i think he is a man not to be trusted..as for boris he is a posh brainless idiot..the both of them are in it for themselves andv their cronies..please vot wisely london
(16)
2008-03-27 12:03:19
Abu Haraira:
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Why should Muslims vote for Livingstone - him and Boris are just the same. — Voting is haraamMuslims should NOT vote this election. The only solution is the Khilaafah. Hello, Ariel Sharon. We know who you are. You are a jewish agent and the purpose of your message is to prevent the muslims from voting in favour of Ken Livingstone in the mayor election. We are not stupid and we WILL vote on May 1, whether you like it or not. And we will vote for Ken.
(17)
2008-03-27 20:47:26
Armitage Shanks:
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'Hello, Ariel Sharon. We know who you are. You are a jewish agent and the purpose of your message is to prevent the muslims from voting in favour of Ken Livingstone in the mayor election.'
'Jewish agent' wow - the mask slipped a little there didn't it? You didn't even bother to pretend to hide your ant-semitism by using the standard 'Zionist' label! Shame on you, and shame on MPACUK for printing your hate speech.
(18)
2008-03-28 08:27:18
Taz:
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Boris Johnson may be an Islamophobe, he may be a racist and he may even lack any relevant experience or competence to run any organisation but why should that stop us voting for him? He can be quite funny and he has some woolly but highly original ideas for London. I'm sure he'll be fine running a city of 7 million people. What London needs is a racist clown for Mayor. He is a walking inverted pyramid of piffle
(19)
2008-03-28 13:23:12
K. Urban:
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MPAC has to decide on the Muslims strategy and then spread that message fast.
Ken must be voted back. We owe it to him as a decent human being.
(20)
2008-03-28 20:37:13
refik:
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It looks like these comments have been taken over by fans of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
No self respecting Muslim should EVER vote Labour EVER again. Ken Livingstone is an ATHEIST who has awarded big contracts to Israeli firms such as Verint. Boris Johnson o the other hand is Turkish and of a Muslim background who has demanded a full public inquiry into the Iraq war. Ken is a truly evil and crooked man. Have you all forgotten Jean Charles de Menezes shot by Israeli made 'dum dum' bullets?
(21)
2008-03-29 15:39:01
Asif Khan:
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What's wrong with you? The BNP are close to getting a seat on the assembly. You should be concentrating your efforts in stopping them - not worry about Johnson. You have your priorities mixed up. This is nothing but a hate campaign based upon some hidden agenda. You can not respresent Muslims, if you can not see the true enemy: The BNP!
(22)
2008-04-25 14:18:20
Horatio:
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"if you can not see the true enemy: The BNP!"
You lot a so blind!, who is the true enemy, the BNP? or the system which let's this group exist and threaten's the muslims with?
(23)
2008-04-30 21:28:04
Troubled man:
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lo all
As a regular English bloke who cares about his country I am really alarmed at the way MPACUK are trying to influence the votes of others. A person's vote is their own!
(24)
2008-04-30 23:03:23
Sultan (in Oxford):
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lo all — Troubled manAs a regular English bloke who cares about his country I am really alarmed at the way MPACUK are trying to influence the votes of others. A person's vote is their own! MPAC are encouraging Muslims to Vote. MPAC are encouraging Muslims to vote for someone who is more sympathetic to Muslim causes. This no different to the tactical voting by other members of the community (such as the Jewish Community), who vote for MPs who are sympathetic to Jewish Causes and Issues. Various Politicians go out of their way to convince various ethnic groups that they will represent them better than the other candidate. This is another form of tactical voting, by influencing ones constituents. At the end of the day, each Muslim votes according to his understanding. You shouldn't be troubled or alarmed at all. As British Muslims we too care about this Country. For most, this is the only country they can call 'home'. But we also care about the views of the candidates. We support those who are more willing to support us. Regards
(25)
2008-05-01 09:14:21
Syed:
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lo all — Troubled manAs a regular English bloke who cares about his country I am really alarmed at the way MPACUK are trying to influence the votes of others. A person's vote is their own!
(26)
2008-05-01 09:17:15
Kazan:
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Refik
What do youmean Boris is Turkish and of Muslim background. His Great GrandFather was Turkish and Muslim but then it stops there. His Grandfather has an English\Christian upbringing so did his Father and so has he. At most he has 1/8th Turkish blood which means nothing. If we go by this then half the World would be Turkish.
(27)
2008-05-01 15:40:05
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