Muslim impact on vote is analysed

Christian polling experts have been commenting on the strength of the UK’s Muslim vote after it played a key part in the election of maverick MP George Galloway.

Peter Brierley told en: ‘Under the UK’s political system a candidate must pay a deposit of £500 to enter an election, which will be lost if they fail to gain 5% of the vote. Muslims are now above that 5% marker, and their voice is therefore democratically allowed to be heard, even if the other 95% disagree!’

Tim Dieppe of Christian Concern said: ‘Labour is already under pressure to increase its support for Islamic causes. Galloway’s win will only add to that pressure. Given Labour’s formal adoption of the APPG [All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims] definition of Islamophobia, I fear a future Labour government could enshrine this in law, making it a criminal offence to criticise Islamic practices and beliefs’.