LMN Islamophobia Hub
The Labour Muslim Network research and policy center released a groundbreaking report into Islamophobia within the Labour Party a few years ago. This piece of research saw the largest consultation of Muslim Labour Party members and supporters in the history of our party and movement. This was followed by national polls of British Muslims and data from the government on the rise of Islamophobia.
These findings were deeply concerning and stark. The report highlighted a consistent experiences amongst Muslim members and supporters as it pertains to Islamophobia and polls suggested hate crime is on the rise. LMN has therefore launched this hub to help support members across the country in rooting out Islamophobia from our party and society as a whole.
Here you will find a range of resources to support you in your work locally. To request further resources and/or participate in future research, policy discussions and help drive our work, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team (at Outreach@LabourMuslims.org).
The Labour Party Report: Islamophobia and the Muslim Experience
The growing threat of Islamophobia in mainstream politics has caused significant concern in across Muslim communities in Britain. Since the 2016 EU referendum, we have seen a sharp rise in hate crime and - in particular - a rise in violent and non-violent Islamophobic attacks. Home Office figures released in October 2020 showed that the highest number of recorded hate crime offences committed in the UK were against Muslims. Of the 6,822 religious hate crimes recorded by the police in 2019/20, over 50% were targeted towards Muslims.
With this and the increasing normalisation of Islamophobia in the Conservative party, and a growing concern over its perceived penetration into the Labour Party, Muslims across the country find themselves in a precarious position.
The research commissioned and conducted by the Labour Muslim Network aimed to take an honest look at the prevalence and nature of Islamophobia in one of Britain’s largest political parties.
Our goal has been to capture the experiences of Muslim members and supporters of the Labour Party, explore institutional barriers and begin to develop solutions where the party falls short in tackling this racism. The research was conducted in the spirit that we make the Labour Party a safe and open space for Muslims and all peoples who wish to fight for a fairer, more just society.
Model Islamophobia Motion for CLPs/Branch's
One way in which you can practically support the work in fighting Islamophobia is to pass model motions at your local CLP/Branch. Here we have provided you with template motions you can use.
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How do I pass a motion in my CLP?
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Proposing a motion is usually quite simple across the country. It may, however, depend on your local Party structures. Normally, the basic process will be:
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You send the motion to the Branch / CLP Secretary and ask for it to be tabled at the next meeting – there will probably be a cut-off date for sending in motions (usually about a week before the meeting), and if you miss this it will have to wait until the following meeting;
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You attend the meeting, speak in favour of the motion (you could ask the Secretary to let you know how long you will be able to speak for);
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Other people may also speak on the motion, in favour of it or against it;
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A final vote will be held (either at the meeting or online), and the result announced.
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'All Member Meeting' structure:
If your CLP uses an 'All Member Meeting' structure, any individual party member can put forward a motion. A week or two ahead of the meeting, send the motion to your CLP Secretary and ask them to table it to be debated and voted on. On the day, anyone who is a member of the local Party will be entitled to attend and vote.
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'General Committee' (GC) structure:
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If your CLP uses a General Committee (GC) structure, and you are a delegate to it, then you will be able to submit the motion directly to the GC on behalf of your union branch – you’ll probably want to discuss it with your branch colleagues in advance. A week or two ahead of the meeting, send the motion to your CLP Secretary and ask them to table it to be debated and voted on. On the day, only delegates to the GC will be able to vote on the motion (although in some local Parties, any Party member is entitled to attend the meeting).
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If your CLP has a GC (General Committee) structure, and you not a delegate then you’ll probably need to propose the meeting to your branch meeting first – if it’s passed, then the branch can propose it to the General Meeting. A week or two ahead of the branch meeting, send the motion to your branch Secretary and ask them to table it to be debated and voted on, and proposed to the General Meeting if passed. On the day, anyone who is a member of the local Party branch will be entitled to attend and vote. Once it has been passed by your branch, your Branch Secretary should send it to the CLP Secretary and ask for it to be tabled at the CLP’s General Meeting. If you’re a delegate from the branch, you will probably be able to propose it at the General Meeting. If not, one of your branch delegates will speak in favour of it.
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Request a speaker or Islamophobia awareness training
The report into Islamophobia within the Labour Party must be seen within the context of an increase in violent and non-violent Islamophobia within British society as a whole. Since the BREXIT referendum of 2016, we have seen hate crime increase by over 500%. Research in 2017 found that nearly 40% of the British population held 'negative or suspicious views' towards their Muslim counterparts. Tackling Islamophobia at its root is our absolute priority and must be a focus of our party.
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Unfortunately, the Labour Party has not been immune from the stain of Islamophobia. We have heard and seen numerous accounts of Islamophobic comments, activities and cultures prevalent in our local and national party. This has recently been evidence by our report.
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The Labour Muslim Network has come together with partners from across the Muslim community to provide local CLP's and Labour groups with the opportunity to tackle this critical issue with us. We offer all CLP's and Labour groups speakers and Islamophobia training to help you with this work at a local and national level.
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If you would like your CLP or Labour group to request a speaker and/or participate in the training, please follow the link below and we will be in touch.