I must admit to being somewhat underwhelmed, and largely disappointed, by the level of political debate that has ensued since the campaigns of the main political parties in the UK kicked off in earnest. We've had claims and counter-claims, dirty and dishonest tactics and some fairly risible political stunts from many of the parties. Take Labour's stone carving debacle for instance, signed by Ed Miliband.
A series of bland and vague statements that was clearly written to be very easy to meet and very difficult to prove they had not met. Indeed, Labour's performance has, to me, been particularly insipid. Based on the harm done by Tory cuts, they could have made much more of the sympathetic vote, and not just from their traditional socialist vote . But the incredibly irresponsible note left at the end of their last tenure, for the incoming Tory Chancellor, which, to paraphrase, pretty much read "Ha! We've spent all the money and there's none left for you! LOL!" has seriously stymied their future chances.
Despite their selling-out and failing to follow up on their election pledges and manifesto commitments, the Liberal Democrats have done more than Labour to warrant votes in my view. It was a big risk to trade the chance to make a difference in the short-term for the future loyalty of their voting demographic. It appears that it did not pay off, as their vote looks to have collapsed. But at least risk-taking shows some sort of political character, something seemingly in short supply these days.
With the lack of clear political leaders in this country, and the largely uninspiring campaigns from the major parties, one shrill voice of note may be enough to sway the undecided voter. Enter Ayaan Hirsi Ali, an Ex-Muslim woman and outspoken activist against radical Islamism. Whatever your opinion on Hirsi Ali's rather controversial views, it's hard to not admit she is a remarkable and admirable woman.
Her close connection to so many axes of oppression, her strength of character, sharp intelligence, talent as a speaker and writer, her incredible stories of survival against the odds in Somalia, and her sheer charisma - all are many times more impressive than the political leaders we have around today. When she speaks, I listen, and so should you. We do not have to agree with her every word in order to see the value in what she has to say. Even if you only view this in sharp counterpoint to your own position, she makes a compelling case for the need for debate on Islam and the issues that its rapid spread can bring. She deserves everyone's respect.
Hirsi Ali has penned an article in The Times which caught my attention (05 May 2015). Although, the online version lies behind a paywall for the most part.
She makes the point that the Conservatives have made a decent attempt to stamp a middle ground, between the submission to the idea of Muslim victimhood under the banner of Islamophobia, so often held up by the left and Ed Miliband; and the right wing bigotry we've sometimes seen from the EDL in the past and to a lesser extent, more recently from UKIP. In doing so, whilst maintaining a hardline stance against hateful preachers for example, the Tories have taken an almost reasonable position on radical Islam, that is fairly unique in Europe.
I do agree with Hirsi Ali, especially about "Islamophobia", which is as I have discussed before, largely a red herring. She describes it as a ruse designed to deflect debate away from the very real problem of radicalisation in Islam. Genuine anti-Muslim sentiment is just bigotry, and there is no need for a special word for it.
So enticing is her writing that I plan to read her books (which I have not done yet!) and possibly pen some thoughts on them here. That is, starting with her latest effort "Heretic: Why Islam needs a reformation now". Watch this space, as they say, if you care to.
Islam needing reformation should be seen as a challenge, and is not a bad thing, or even necessarily a particularly harsh criticism. Cultures change all the time. I am one who believes culture in Britain has changed, and needs to continue doing so.
We should pay heed to what Ex-Muslims have to say. They are a rare breed, and too often ignored by those leftists blinkered to the many horrors that can exist, internalised, in dogmatic religion; or those simply insistent that even radical Muslims can do no wrong. If there ever were any reasons to vote Tory, Hirsi Ali's blessing would surely not be least amongst those.
