DAR AL HARB - U.K.: WE MUST KISS MOSLEM BUTT EVEN BETTER THAN WE HAVE BEEN

We must win back Muslim voters says Hain
by Tomos Livingstone, Western Mail

LABOUR needs to change tack on foreign policy to win back voters who deserted the party over the Iraq war, Peter Hain said last night.

Welsh Secretary Mr Hain said “hundreds of thousands” of Muslims had been lost to Labour as a result of the worsening situation in Iraq.

The Neath MP has in the past criticised the failings of US foreign policy under President Bush, but has rarely made a direct link between the invasion of Iraq and a waning of support for the Government.

“I want... to bring back to Labour the hundreds of thousands of Muslim voters we lost in 2005, as a result of the Iraq war,” he said.

“We must combine a commitment to reducing inequality at home with a progressive foreign policy abroad.”

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“We must also redouble our efforts to prevent the BNP spreading hate and fear in your community.”

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“In Northern Ireland rising prosperity and opportunity has successfully underpinned the drive for peace, I believe that a relentless campaign to improve the everyday lives of the Palestinians, Iraqis and throughout the Middle East offers the best possibility for a better future.”

Mr Hain’s campaign has been boosted by the restoration of devolution to Northern Ireland, where he is also Secretary of State.

His campaign is centred on constitutional reform, a “reducing poverty” test for all Government policies and action to tackle climate change.

He has the declared support of the Aslef and BFAWU unions, and well as regional sections of the GMB.

Mr Hain faces a battle with Mr Johnson for the support of the huge Unison public sector union. Officials from the union are understood to be meeting tonight to discuss which candidate to back.


Pertinent Links:

1) We must win back Muslim voters says Hain