There is no doubting that the collective voice and sentiments of the Muslim community in the corridors of power is glaringly silent, subsequently our influence upon the output of government policy is limited to say the least. It was the desire to remedy this situation and the inevitable marginalisation that gave genesis to MPACUK and it is why this endeavour is necessary. In keeping with this principle we have established a campaign to publicise the opinions of M.P’s to inform the respective constituents as to the views of their elected officials. Members of parliament serve as our representatives. Their remit is to serve as a channel for our aspirations and indeed our frustrations and to convey them to the executive. It is due to this reason that it is vital we are intimately familiar of their views on issues which will tangibly impact our lives.

The Birmingham branch has therefore conducted two in depth and refreshingly candid interviews with two local Birmingham M.P’s; John Hemming MP of the Liberal Democrats and former Labour cabinet minister Clare Short now an independent. They discussed with them a wide spectrum of topics ranging from British foreign policy and its effects, the very prescient issue of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and domestic political engagement. The resounding message gleaned from both these interviews is that greater participation by the Muslim community is a requisite to ensure we have a greater stake and influence in the decisions that will determine our destinies.

You and Your MP: MPACUK interviews Clare Short

Clare Short MP for Ladywood, in Birmingham, joins sisters Samina, Safia and Sabah from the MPACUK Birmingham Branch, to talk about issues affecting British Muslims today, from her experiences as a Birmingham born Catholic to her opinion on Palestine, Islamophobia, the importance of voting and her take on Bishop Ali-Nazir's comments on ‘no go areas’

Clare Short, a colourful figure throughout her career, who always spoke out against the injustices happening in Palestine, served as Secretary of State for International Development from 1997 until her resignation from the Cabinet over the war in Iraq in 2003. In 2006, she resigned the Labour whip. She now sits as an Independent.

Clare Short is also the author of the award winning book “An Honourable Deception? New Labour, Iraq, and the Misuse of Power”, published in an attempt to explain why Tony Blair did what he did on Iraq, to uphold the hope that lessons could be learned and things put right.

Tune in to the two part Clare Short's interview with MPACUK.

Image Source: http://www.epolitix.com/EN/MPWebsites/Clare+Short

As a Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming represents the constituency Yardley in Birmingham. Mr Hemming joins MPACUK to discuss issues such as Islamophobia, the media’s attitude toward Muslims, lobbying, the occupation of Palestine, the invasion of Afghanistan amongst other controversial topics.

From MPACUK, sisters Tasneem and Abida invite John Hemming to talk about the issues affecting Muslims in Britain today, and what Muslims could and can be doing today to tackle these issues that surround us.

Among other things John Hemming has been known to have voted on key issues such as, voting strongly against introducing ID cards, voting strongly against Labour's anti-terrorism laws, and voting strongly for investigating the Iraq war.

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