My Dear People

The Queens’ speech is a somewhat difficult event to assess on how Muslims perceive what the government sets out in the coming year as its priorities, as some issues affect or concern Muslims more than others. Adding to the fact that Muslim media as well as public representation has been sparse until now. Nevertheless, while some issues are at their embryonic stage, the rest we are all perhaps too familiar with, including those that the government has changed direction on i.e student top-up fees which is expected to be a source of much controversy.

It would come as no surprise to Muslims that asylum seekers are a target for tougher measures, whether the perceived climate of impending terrorism is responsible has already been much discussed. Some even suggest that their children may be pawns in the whole make-up.

Preparation for ID cards is closely linked to the above-mentioned issues and despite almost hostile disapproval from varying quarters, the road to ID cards has surely been built.

As far as increased rights for same sex couples is concerned, the less said the better. From one contentious issue to another, the subject of the Euro Referendum having flickered in and out of the public conciousness has never really grasped the nations’ attention as it did during the mid-90’s. Gauging the Muslim stance on this issue, mixed is the operative word. Nevertheless, many predict it won’t arise this side of the next election. Deliberation some say, others say more.

Of practical concern to most of us, Muslim or otherwise, grappling the ever-increasing roadworks issue

Bill to tackle roadworks chaos, traffic management and disruption to the school run
House of Lords reform (creating a supreme court, abolish remaining hereditary peers and role of Lord Chancellor)
House Sale Speed-up (intro of seller’s packs)
Pensions bill to protect company pension schemes
Tackling disability discrimination, giving more protection to victims of crime
Update law on domestic violence
Improve child protection
Proposals to regulate the retention of human tissues, plans prompted by inquiries into the use of organs and tissue from children who had died at hospitals in Liverpool and Bristol.

Nanny State + The Fear Factor
Although the customary rebuffs from the two major parties in opposition is understandable and expected, politics can sometimes be seen as a narrow den of familiar wolves.