Community participation in June elections 2009

Despite Joseph Rowntree Foundations Findings of February 2007 that “Hindus are the most likely to vote of all the religious groups common in the South Asian electorate.” However there are many who may think their vote is irrelevant, if we had adopted this precept then we would not have a very small number of MPs, GLA Assembly member, MEPs or local Councillors.

Hindu Council UK urges our community to vote and exercise their fundamental democratic right.
The forthcoming elections will prove a pointer in ‘Good Governance’, provision of Local and European services that we as a community pay for through our taxation.

We are a non political organization and therefore do not endorse any political parties but there are a number of candidates from our community, too few in our view who are standing for mainstream parties and whose details can be obtained from Conservative. Labour and Lib Dem websites. There are some from our community who are standing as independent such as Anant Vyas and Janani Jananayagam.

We are rapidly approaching the local County and European parliament elections and will be facing a general election by the middle of 2010. These elections matter, especially in the current economic climate when competence and good governance are vital. For  these reasons it is very important for all of us to take part.  The way to influence change is by taking part in the political process and use the power of our vote. Apathy and lethargy is no strategy.

Our current economic plight will take more than a decade to stabilise and there will have to be a lot of adjustment to behaviour and living standards. Along the way some of this change may give rise to social unrest and the rise of the far right parties in politics. To minimise the adverse impact of this for Indians/Hindus and the moderate members of our country, we need to vote and where possible to take part in public service. We would urge you all to do your bit to help to promote those from your community who you can trust to do their bit for you and the community once they are in office.

Some of the issues you may wish to consider:

1. Indo / British Relationship.
2. Non representation on LCOCG, Olympic Development Authority, LDA and other bodies
3. No influential opinion former from political or senior civil service has challenged the lack of representation in jobs, politics, the public sector and various blue chip type corporations.
4. SME enterprises from our community have major problems as unpaid government officials, especially when collecting taxes, but when it comes to regulatory inputs there tends to be a high degree of disengagement. Opportunity and bidding for contracts seems to be non existent.
5. The Councils work with many organisations both statutory and voluntary including [where applicable] numerous parish councils which are more local democratic bodies delivering services and raising council tax for their local needs.
6. Identify what services you, your family or your community needs. Ask for those services.
7.  If uncertain about this – obtain your Council’s Handy Guide to Services and pick services that interest or matter to you, your family and community. Ask pertinent questions.
8. Study the election leaflets and prepare relevant questions related to your needs.
9. Whether you are a private tenant, council tenant, leaseholder, freeholder owner-occupier or a recent immigrant with settlement rights living with relatives or friends consider what is important to you? There are communal issues such as how clean and well maintained the local area is, local labour market & employment and self-employment opportunities and access, local NHS services including GP & NHS Dental services, access especially for those with infirmity, disability and limited English, access to local schools, admissions policy, community safety on your estate, locality, anti-social behavior such as drugs dealing, abuse, noise, crime, property damage etc., streets, roads and pavements, walkways repairs and maintenance, communal grounds maintenance, play areas, greens, parks, leisure facilities etc that might be of interest to you or to someone you know.
10. Transparency and value for money should be the key deliverables rather claims for expenses and second homes which are a major concern within our community.

There are so many other issues but the key denominator for all of us is to VOTE. It is your right and HCUK strongly urges you take part in the forthcoming elections which are a preamble to the general elections next year.


Dilip Joshi MBE
Director for Representation and Stakeholder Relationship
Hindu Council UK