Our task is to tackle marginalisation

Notwithstanding the sensationalist headline, it is encouraging to see the sensible and supportive response from the local Muslim community mirroring the calm and measured response of the Muslim Council of Britain to recent ISIS atrocities.

It is also good to see that Steve Baker has taken such a level-headed response. While there may be many things we disagree about, on this issue we can agree that the vast majority of the people in Wycombe are decent, law-abiding people.

Speaking to people on the doorstep we hear their concerns about the Muslim community and radicalisation, and that the message does not seem to be getting through that the overwhelming majority of Muslims are ordinary working people – peaceful, moderate and law-abiding. They condemn ISIS and the actions of extremists like Awlaki. The extremist thugs and gangsters of ISIS have no more in common with ordinary Muslims than Harold Shipman did with every other GP.

Our Muslim members, like the rest of the community, abhor the atrocities like the murder of James Foley and ISIS crimes against humanity identified by the UN Human Rights Committee. The Muslim Council of Britain has also condemned ISIS saying they are a perversion of Islam.

There is, of course, a social exclusion issue woven into this. The attainment gap in Bucks is the widest in the country at GCSE level and British Pakistani children are part of the group most affected. Some young men from a wide range of backgrounds come to feel marginalised from ordinary society and look for an outlet for their frustration or anger. This may take the form of joining gangs or other anti-social behaviour. In some cases, individuals may be attracted to extremist groups like the BNP or the English Defence League. In others they may be attracted to extremist groups like Al Qaeda or ISIS. All have more in common with each other than they do with ordinary society – however different they appear superficially.

The demonisation of Islam and Muslims is only likely to push individuals vulnerable to marginalisation closer to such extremist groups by creating feelings of persecution and the development of a ghetto mentality.

Our task is to tackle marginalisation, to emphasise the values we all share and to build an inclusive community and respect differences. Building stronger, cohesive communities is central to Labour’s philosophy rather than fostering resentment and suspicion as the right wing anti-EU parties do.

I hope that all politicians can work together in Wycombe to build an inclusive society where respect, trust and equality of opportunity are promoted to strengthen our community. — David Williams QC, Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate for Wycombe