Sadiq Khan - London Mayor Candidacy

[agchristie]

Should it matter that the London Mayor is a Muslim?

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/01/moderate-sadiq-khan-london-mayor-muslim-labour

[agchristie]

Naomi, it throws up all sorts of issues. Should he succeed in becoming Mayor the spotlight will be very much on him where issues affecting muslims are concerned.

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - //Religion in politics shouldn’t be an issue, but in this case it has to be. //

I think that in the case of Christianity, it is reasonable to assume that politics need not impinge on politics.

However, for the Muslim population, where their faith is far more an integral and vital part of their lives, it is difficult, if not impossible to separate the two.

[naomi24]

ag, exactly - and Muslims will expect him to act in their best interests.

[Baldric]

/// Should he succeed in becoming Mayor the spotlight will be very much on him where issues affecting muslims are concerned.///

Would that not be a case of too little too late?

[agchristie]

Baldric > Would that not be a case of too little too late?

I'm sure Mr Khan knows what he would be taking on. He can't be responsible for what has already happened, but can he change anything for the better? Some of his aims are honourable as I stated earlier on the thread.

[andy-hughes]

PiedPiper - //Great post from NJ. Islam will spread like a plague, quite simply they will outbreed non muslims. //

Are you sure you are not confusing Muslims with locusts?

[anotheoldgit]

/// I think that in the case of Christianity, it is reasonable to assume that politics need not impinge on politics. ///

Christianity is all part of British politics, seeing that we have 26 Church of England Bishops in the House of Lords, including the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

[Peter Pedant]

/// I think that in the case of Christianity, it is reasonable to assume that politics need not impinge on politics. ///

no shouldnt this be:

I think that in the case of Christianity, it is reasonable to posit that religion need not impinge on politics.

I think politics must impinge on politics [original quote] - that is the nature of political activity - the idea that religion is separate from politics is secularism or in Calais Laicite - and altho there is a better separation in Calais - there is also more anti-Semitism in C and the whole of France

and erm andie you have lords spiritual in the house of lords so of course religion impinges on politics as the supreme governor is the monarch.
Also when you proddies want to change the prayer book you need an act of parliament to do it

but hey this is answerbank
home to more craxies than I can enumerate

[agchristie]

The expenses scandal wasn't a good example of good Christian behaviour!

[New Judge]

“…him being a Muslim should not be an issue but that others will make it one”

Many in London most certainly will, agchristie. Of course Muslims are most likely to vote for “one of their own”. That’s to be expected because many of them believe that only a Muslim can properly represent them. But the matter of him being Muslim will play on non-Muslim’s minds not least because of the shenanigans that took place in Tower Hamlets. Mr Rahman had already served one term as elected mayor (and the first election was dogged in controversy but not investigated). As far as I know there has never been, in the UK, widespread electoral malpractice of the scale or nature displayed in Tower Hamlets in 2014. Those of us who were brought up to respect the sanctity of the country’s electoral system were simply aghast at the court’s findings.

To bring things up to date Mr Rahman was ordered to pay legal costs of £500,000 to the people who initially accused him of corruption. But he failed to do so, declaring himself bankrupt in November, leading to a High Court hearing into his finances after his accusers applied for charges on his two properties. The hearing found that he misled mortgage companies and HMRC by failing to declare assets and income. I believe his assets are currently frozen whilst further enquiries take place.

I say again that I do not expect Mr Khan to behave like Mr Rahman. He does not need to. But one bad apple invariably taints the whole barrel and many people in London who have troubled to find out about the goings on in Tower Hamlets may well make the issue of Mr Khan’s religion a deal breaker when they come to vote.

“However, for the Muslim population, where their faith is far more an integral and vital part of their lives, it is difficult, if not impossible to separate the two.”

And thereby hangs the problem, Andy. Despite the minor influence of the Lords Spiritual which AOG mentions (and which I believe should be abolished) religion has no real place in UK politics. Certainly not a religion like Islam which, as you say, invades almost every aspect of its followers’ lives.

[agchristie]

NJ - yes, Mr Khan will, I'm sure, be mindful of the Tower Hamlets fiasco. Even if in office he plays a straight bat he could easily edge one to the slips....

[agchristie]

Thanks to everyone for their contributions to this thread. Some good points, facts and figures and well behaved!