Michael Howard: “We value your contribution”

Page 27
Q-News, Issue 362
April 2005

Michael Howard makes no apologies for supporting the war in Iraq or opposing the incitement to religious hatred legislation. Muslims, he believes, are like all Britons - concerned about healthcare and troubled by uncontrolled immigration.

Q-News: What do you understand to be five most pressing concerns of Muslim voters?

Muslims contribute heavily to society so the issues that affect them are issues that affect everyone. Health - people are afraid of going into a hospital because they may become more ill than when they went in. Schools - where there should be proper discipline. Law and order - there should be more police officers. Immigration - it has to be controlled because its an enemy to good community relations. Lower taxes - Labour is going to raise taxes if voted in. Muslims are hardworking people who are giving too much money in tax and we want to help.


Q-News: Most people associate the Conservatives with poverty for the poor, and increasing wealth for the rich. Is this accurate?

No! Anyone who thinks that is completely wrong. We have detailed how the Government are wasting £35 billion a year. If we win, we will spend it in better ways. We are going to cut taxes by £4 billion in our first budget. That’s a firm pledge.


Q-News: What will you do about underachievement and unemployment amongst Muslims?

We need school discipline or else nobody is going to learn. The challenge of education system is to find the key that unlocks the potential of every person. We want to have real job related training for 14-19 year olds who are not academically inclined. They will spend a day or two every week out of school, with an employer, learning a trade. The government will pay the employer to take them on. We will give parents freedom of choice over the school they go to.

With regards to employment, there is now a law that prevents discrimination in the work place. But unfortunately, you cannot always prove it. I don’t think there is a magic wand. I think discrimination will decrease because we have more Muslim role models, like Amir Khan for example. People change their attitudes when they see the immense contribution Muslims are making. It will take time but it will change.


Q-News: When we spoke to you in November you said that there was no need to change our anti-terror legislation, despite the fact that Muslims feel unfairly targeted. How do you feel now?

It’s not up to me. It has to be changed now because the House of Lords has ruled. Key decisions affecting British citizens should be made by judges. But, I have to be honest, not many Muslims have come to me with complaints about anti-terror legislation.


Q-News: What is your immigration policy?

Parliament should set an annual limit for those who have the right skills, those seeking family reunion, and genuine asylum seekers through the UNCR. We don’t want people who smuggle themselves. This negatively affects genuine asylum seekers and frankly, the numbers become too big. After the Bradford riots, the government’s community cohesion panel concluded that the pace of change was too great. Many Muslims understand support our proposals because if you don’t have good community relations, it is Muslims who are first affected.


Q-News: What are your thoughts on the legislation against incitement to religious hatred?

Every attempt to pass this form of legislation has led to more problems; problems with free speech, problems about books and plays and so on. I am not satisfied that this policy has been thought through properly.


Q-News: The Conservatives failed to play the role of the opposition when Blair was making his case for the invasion of Iraq.

I have to do what I think is right for the country. When I took over as leader of the opposition, I said that I would support the government when I think it’s doing right and criticise it when I think it is doing wrong. However, Mr Blair shouldn’t have misled us about the intelligence. He should have had a plan of what to do after the overthrow of Saddam.


Q-News: What do you think about Turkey and the EU, and about attacking Iran?

I’m in favour of Turkey joining the EU and we must deal with Iran through diplomacy.


Q-News: What will you do about the drug abuse problem in Tower Hamlets amongst Bengalis?

We want to expand ten-fold the number of residential rehab centres. Under this government, youngsters who want to kick the drug habit are told that they have to wait months and in the intervening months they get back to their bad old ways. SO it is very important to get these running as soon as possible.


Q-News: What can the Tories do about poor housing affecting many Muslims?

There are too many obstacles and bureaucracy within the government so it takes much longer for planning permission. They sometimes encourage the local government to make unreasonable demands on developers who ultimately give up. We will remove that bureaucracy, encourage people to build to build house. If someone wants to buy a house but cannot afford to, we will permit them to buy 20% of the house while a government agency would buy the rest. They can increase the proportion of how much they own of the house over time as they become more prosperous. If they want to move house, they would be able to take their share of the value.


Q-News: As someone from a Jewish family, do you feel it will make you more sensitive as a potential PM?

We are all products of our family background. My background has taught me to appreciate this country, which I am very proud and it has taught me justice and fairness.