Report: Muslim Voices, Election Choices: Key Issues for 2024

The 2024 general election marks a critical juncture for Muslim communities in the United Kingdom, carrying significant implications for their social, political, and economic wellbeing. This election arrives amidst heightened political awareness and activism among British Muslims, against a backdrop of rising Islamophobia, economic challenges, and evidence of an ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Over the past two years, Community Policy Forum has conducted vital qualitative research with Muslim communities and stakeholders to identify key issues and priorities in the upcoming election and beyond, regardless of the government that emerges. Our research involved roundtables, listening exercises, interviews, and other engagement activities, enabling us to delve into the lived experiences of these communities and the challenges that they face. This knowledge base allows us to offer a comprehensive understanding of the Muslim electorate’s experiences and the issues they expect candidates nationwide to address.

The insights gathered from these consultations have been consolidated into this report under broad thematic chapters. They highlight the direct Islamophobia experienced by communities alongside patterns of structural discrimination. This discrimination is compounded for many Muslims on account of their gender, disability, immigration status, caring responsibilities, and other factors. As such, Muslims across the UK have extensive lived experiences of multiple layers of discrimination that shape their daily lives and interactions with society.

We envisage this report as a barometer by which Muslims and advocates for equality can evaluate candidates, politicians, and political parties. Specifically, we offer ten policy pledges that we believe encapsulate some of the most pressing issues affecting Muslim communities that should be amplified throughout the election period. We urge candidates and political parties to engage with the findings of this report and endorse these pledges to demonstrate their commitment to their Muslim constituents.

This, in turn, will provide a framework through which Muslim voters and stakeholders can assess candidates‘ and parties’ commitment to addressing the issues faced by Muslim communities. As such, we hope this report and its policy recommendations will empower Muslim voters and equip them with the knowledge to actively participate in the democratic process.