Ballot of Britain: Indians key in neck-and-neck UK race
LONDON: The Indian diaspora in Britain will play kingmaker in the general elections due May 7. Three days before UK votes, parties are bending over backwards win over the crucial 6.2 lakh-strong British Indian vote bank.
Leaders David Cameron and Ed Miliband recently visited Indian places of worship while every party's manifesto has tall promises for the Indian community. Almost 4 million voters - one in 10 of England and Wales's electorate - are born abroad. Indians form the largest chunk, with 615,000 expected to vote.
Independent peer Lord Karan Bilimoria says: "This is the most uncertain of elections in recent British history. The 1.5 million-strong Indian diaspora will play a major role. The Indian vote used to be overwhelmingly Labour, but it's nowhere near that now. It's swung towards Conservatives, after PM Cameron made India priority. He visited India thrice, appointed the first Indian diaspora champion and inaugurated Gandhi's statue at Parliament Square."
READ ALSO: 20 things you should know about the UK's election system and Parliament
The Indian community's prominence has grown steadily: Indian-owned brands are household names. In 1987, there were two Indian-origin members in parliament. Today there are over 25, said Billimoria, adding, "I believe I'll see an Indian origin British PM in my lifetime."
In 2010, 68% of black and minority ethnic voters supported Labour, while Conservatives and Liberal Democrats received 16% and 14% voteshare. A recent British Election Study said Indian voters for Labour were down to 18% in 2014 from 77% in 1997.
Labour's Keith Vaz, who first became MP in 1987, is confident his party will retain its Indian support. In 99 seats, the Asian diaspora vote would be the game-changer, he said.In 45, Indians would be the deciding factor. "70% of Indian diaspora votes will be for Labour. But generational changes exist. Labour's Miliband has pledged one of the first places he'll visit if he becomes PM will be India," said Vaz.
Leaders David Cameron and Ed Miliband recently visited Indian places of worship while every party's manifesto has tall promises for the Indian community. Almost 4 million voters - one in 10 of England and Wales's electorate - are born abroad. Indians form the largest chunk, with 615,000 expected to vote.
Independent peer Lord Karan Bilimoria says: "This is the most uncertain of elections in recent British history. The 1.5 million-strong Indian diaspora will play a major role. The Indian vote used to be overwhelmingly Labour, but it's nowhere near that now. It's swung towards Conservatives, after PM Cameron made India priority. He visited India thrice, appointed the first Indian diaspora champion and inaugurated Gandhi's statue at Parliament Square."
READ ALSO: 20 things you should know about the UK's election system and Parliament
The Indian community's prominence has grown steadily: Indian-owned brands are household names. In 1987, there were two Indian-origin members in parliament. Today there are over 25, said Billimoria, adding, "I believe I'll see an Indian origin British PM in my lifetime."
In 2010, 68% of black and minority ethnic voters supported Labour, while Conservatives and Liberal Democrats received 16% and 14% voteshare. A recent British Election Study said Indian voters for Labour were down to 18% in 2014 from 77% in 1997.
Labour's Keith Vaz, who first became MP in 1987, is confident his party will retain its Indian support. In 99 seats, the Asian diaspora vote would be the game-changer, he said.In 45, Indians would be the deciding factor. "70% of Indian diaspora votes will be for Labour. But generational changes exist. Labour's Miliband has pledged one of the first places he'll visit if he becomes PM will be India," said Vaz.
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