Make The Most Of Your Vote

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VOTE

GUIDE FOR THE SIKH COMMUNITY FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION

What looks almost certain is the political landscape following the 6 May vote will result in some radical changes in the UK Parliament and the possibility of electoral reform.

Many new MPs will take their seats in the House of Commons for the first time as hundreds of MPs have already stood down or retired following the expenses scandal and others will be replaced.

Gurdwaras, Sikh organisations and individual Sikhs need to be much better organised and willing to constantly work at pressuring MPs in the new Parliament if Sikhs want to make real progress on issues that matter to them most. This will be even more important if we have coalition government that will involve compromises and deals.

Support for Labour has declined and the Conservatives will receive the most votes and have the most number of MPs. However, with the emergence of the Liberal Democrats it makes it a three party system with the likelihood of a hung Parliament. The Liberal Democrats may hold the balance of power with 80-90 MPs unless there are more gaffes or something extraordinary happens in the next day or two with undecided voters and voters who are influenced by the fear of a hung Parliament.

Around 60% of seats are regarded as safe with the leading parties currently in power holding large majorities. In these constituencies your vote is unlikely to make any difference. However, it is important to exercise your democratic right and ensure the MP that is elected represents your interests in Parliament and you are able to hold the MP to account.

In marginals Sikhs are urged to consider their experiences with:

• the Labour Government, including on issues such as the 2011 Census and Code of Practice for Sikh articles of faith
  
• the track record of the Conservatives – will they see through on promises concerning monitoring, changes to the way Sikhs are consulted or will they shy away from certain issues when the time comes
  
• the emergence of the Liberal Democrats in the last few weeks
  

The Liberal Democrats leader was the first of the three leaders of the main parties to respond to the 10-point pledge relating to the Sikh community [Page 1], , [Page 2]. Harriet Harman, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, has also responded. Those reading the response [Labour letter] must decide if this is enough. A response from David Cameron is expected before the 6 May.

Sikhs will make local decisions on who to vote for based on past experiences, promises made and which candidate will best serve their interests. Sikhs are however being advised to use their votes wisely where it really matters.

Tactical voting has been discussed in around 50 named marginal constituencies where a swing of around 5% or less will either result in the current party in power being able to retain the seat or where a change of political parties is deemed appropriate. These constituencies range from:

• Wolverhampton South West where Sikhs are keen that Rob Marris (Labour) who is defending a majority of just under 2,900 retains his seat; to
  
• Leicester South where Sikhs are confident of a swing of around 4% from Sir Peter Soulsby (Labour) who is defending a majority of just over 3,700 to Paramjit Singh Gill (Liberal Democrats)
  

Sikhs, particularly those in marginal constituencies, are reflecting over the last term of Government and are determining whether their voice has not only been heard but acted on. Political commitment to the 10 point pledge will be a real driving force for many Sikh voters.

Gurjeet Singh

National Press Secretary

Sikh Federation (UK)

Note 1: The 50 marginal constituencies, which require a swing of around 5% or less, and where tactical voting is being considered by Sikhs include:

Battersea, Bedford, Birmingham Edgbaston, Birmingham Yardley, Bradford North, Bradford West, Brent East, Brentford & Isleworth, Bristol West, Broxtowe, Cardiff North, Chatham & Aylesford, Crawley, Croydon Central, Dartford, Derby North, Dudley South, Eastleigh, Edinburgh South, Enfield North, Enfield Southgate, Finchley & Golders Green, Gillingham, Gloucester, Harborough, Harrow West, Harrow East, Ilford North, Islington South & Finsbury, Leeds North West, Leicester South, Loughborough, Manchester Withington, Medway, Milton Keynes South West, North East Milton Keynes, North Swindon, North West Leicestershire, Northampton North, Oxford East, Putney, Richmond Park, Romsey, Solihull, South Derbyshire, South Swindon, Stafford, Warwick & Leamington, Watford and Wolverhampton South West.

Note 2: Our prediction at this stage is Labour will hold 4 of these constituencies, the Conservatives 6 and the Liberal Democrats 9. Labour will lose 31 with the Conservatives gaining 25 and the Liberal Democrats 6. This pattern of results if repeated in other marginals will produce a hung Parliament with the Conservatives having the largest number of MPs, followed closely by Labour.

[Singh Sabha Hitchin]

Wolverhampton Sikhs must ensure that Rob Marris maintains his seat. He has been an amazing representative for Sikhs in Parliament!

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

Wolverhampton Sikhs must ensure that Rob Marris maintains his seat. He has been an amazing representative for Sikhs in Parliament!

Evan late last night Rob took out time to email the Sikh Federation (UK) about helping stop Kamal Nath entering the UK next week and speaking on 12 May in London. Sikhs with friends and relatives in Wolverhampton should give them a ring and advise them to vote for Rob. Because of boundary changes his majority is around 1,500 - so it will be very tight.

[Azaad]

:sad: Rob Marris lost his seat to Paul Uppal...

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

:sad: Rob Marris lost his seat to Paul Uppal...

Rob was in contact as soon as the result was released to thank Sikhs for their support.

He will return to fight another day . . .

In the meantime, Sikhs in Wolverhampton are urged to contact Paul Uppal so he can put pressure on the Foreign Office to stop Kamal Nath's entry to the UK. Let's give him a chance to prove himself !