The horrific deaths of the three young girls at a dance class have sent shockwaves through our country. This senseless attack, which rightfully should be condemned, has left families and the wider Southport community in mourning. My heart aches for those affected by this tragedy.
In the wake of this incident, we have seen a troubling rise in Islamophobia. This is an issue I have spoken about extensively. It began with the Leeds Riots, where many, including right-wing figures like Nigel Farage, incorrectly assumed the unrest was linked to the South Asian community. In reality, the Muslim community in Leeds was actively working to calm the situation. However, individuals like Tommy Robinson and Lawrence Fox have fanned the flames of sectarianism and populism, perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
The far-right narrative that blames immigrants and Muslims for societal issues is damaging and untrue. They portray my community as terrorists, rapists, and benefit scroungers. This scapegoating has reached a point where many third and fourth-generation Muslims, like myself, feel fed up. We are British—we embrace the quirks of British life, from its famously unpredictable weather to enjoying a vegan sausage roll and chips with gravy. We are proud of our nation, and our grandparents fought against fascism for this country. My great-grandfather served in Burma, and our families have contributed blood, sweat, and tears to be part of this society.
Our contributions are undeniable. My grandfather started working in a mill in Bolton in the 1960s, and now his descendants have become barristers, nurses, investment bankers, care assistants, and bus drivers. They play integral roles in the fabric of Britain. I am the first in my family to stand as an MP and the first to chair my local party. We break glass ceilings every day.
To the far-right, I have a clear message: you will not win. This Britain is for the tolerant and welcoming. We have friends from diverse backgrounds—atheists, theists, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those who think Wigan have a better football team than Bolton (obviously incorrect) . We focus on what unites us rather than what divides us. We care about the Lionesses and whether it’s called a bread roll, barm, or cob. We debate whether to put cream or jam first on a scone. These are the things that make us British.
I will not be silenced by a minority of racist hooligans who seek to sow seeds of hatred. As a Liberal Democrat, I will continue to fight for our values of tolerance and inclusion. I urge others to do the same. We must raise our voices against xenophobia in our communities. Movements like the EDL are as dangerous as any terrorist organization—they radicalize and spread hatred, and they should be treated as such.
Let us stand together, united in our diversity, and work towards a Britain that is inclusive and welcoming for all.
* Mo Waqas is Chair of the Lib Dem’s Stockton branch and was the PPC for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East.
6 Comments
Sadly Mo ….One only has to look at Western Europe to realise things are not as simple or harmonious as we like to believe.
Integration hasn’t happened on the scale we would like . Some communities have become mono-cultural which is ultimately human nature …With gangs rioting in the city of Hague and Swedish gang violence has soared – it’s not surprising people turn to populists as liberal western democracies have failed to address genuine concerns ..
1) I was really pleased and impressed to see a (presumably local) woman holding up a hastily prepared A4 poster “there is only one race – HUMAN” in amongst the crowd of EDL supporters.
2) I really felt that Southport stood together as one community in the wake of all that has happened.
3) I understand that Russian websites were running a misinformation campaign to trigger these thugs.
4) My grandfather served in Burma with the RAF amongst (other places in the Far-East region). That generation of my family were of a humble background, politics was “beyond their station”. Now their descendents are in the same political party and have probably rubbed shoulders at conference!
In the big picture progress continues despite those seduced by hate. We need to keep pushing the reasonable moderate centre message forward.
If some one burglars my house, what difference does it make to me. They only person it makes a difference to is a racist person.
Thank you Mo for your articulate defence of LIb Dem values and your ‘refusal to be silenced’ by those sowing seeds of hatred in our communities. You set an example for us all.
The rise of 21st century fascism across Europe is deeply concerning. It’s time we used our Focus leaflets, and all other means possible, to consistently explain and promote our values on equality and inclusivity. If we are silent, if Lib Dem literature being delivered through letterboxes does not promote the kind of society we want to deliver then we become complicit in the tragedies that follow.
Why am I a Liberal Democrat? Because –
” The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. ”
Middlesbrough and Teesside are wonderful places BECAUSE they are multicultural, multi-ethnic, and built on waves of immigration. It’s time to tackle right-wing populism / 21st century fascism head on – through the letterbox and on the doorstep.
This is an excellent piece, I strongly encourage you to repost it.
Mo, your article should be read out and debated in all secondary schools across the UK and on tv and radio stations. It is insightful, logical and moderate as well as accurate.
I am a retired teacher, who taught at a secondary school in Middlesbrough, where ethnicity issues between pupils were almost unknown.
All my pupils spoke with Boro accents and had broadly similar interests.
My grandchildren go to school in London and they mix with children and adults from a wide variety of religions, nationalities and ethnicities.
Children are not born racist. They learn it from their neighbours, their families and society.
I hope that the current rise in ultra-right activity is not a glimpse of the future and, as you have written so eloquently, those who believe in tolerance, inclusion and a fair society will prevail as you