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Giorgio and Dee met up with RESPECT Councillor Oli Rahman
back in March. RESPECT-the unity coalition- is a new political
party founded by ex-Labour MP George Galloway. Are we
telling you to vote for them? No. SSS is merely attempting to
bring politics to you. You’ve seen the advert of the badly
drawn cartoon man: ‘I don’t do politics’ so if that’s you, that’s
cool.
SSS contacted local MPS from the
Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat
parties as well. We never heard back from
any of them. Oli got back in touch with us and so for this
reason, we’ve given him a platform and hopefully the chance
to bring up some issues that concern you.
Oli is a 23 year old second generation Bangladeshi who
resides in the east end of London. Although currently a
councillor, he will stand as RESPECT MP for Poplar and
Canning Town in 2 weeks time. His interest in politics began
through trade union work during his time in public services.
It was the infamous Iraq War which sparked an urge to get
involved and “try at least to change things.” “I heard about a
RESPECT meeting being held and went along. I liked what I
heard and met George and things just went from there. I
stood for the London Assembly in the EU elections and came
third. I received 20,000 votes thus beating other established
parties."
back in March. RESPECT-the unity coalition- is a new political
party founded by ex-Labour MP George Galloway. Are we
telling you to vote for them? No. SSS is merely attempting to
bring politics to you. You’ve seen the advert of the badly
drawn cartoon man: ‘I don’t do politics’ so if that’s you, that’s
cool.
SSS contacted local MPS from the
Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat
parties as well. We never heard back from
any of them. Oli got back in touch with us and so for this
reason, we’ve given him a platform and hopefully the chance
to bring up some issues that concern you.
Oli is a 23 year old second generation Bangladeshi who
resides in the east end of London. Although currently a
councillor, he will stand as RESPECT MP for Poplar and
Canning Town in 2 weeks time. His interest in politics began
through trade union work during his time in public services.
It was the infamous Iraq War which sparked an urge to get
involved and “try at least to change things.” “I heard about a
RESPECT meeting being held and went along. I liked what I
heard and met George and things just went from there. I
stood for the London Assembly in the EU elections and came
third. I received 20,000 votes thus beating other established
parties."
| "I was elected to stand at the council by- election and became the youngest and first elected Respect Councillor in the UK.” |
Respect’s main policies concern the Iraq war and this may have something to do with Galloway’s controversial expulsion from
the Labour Party back in 2003. Galloway’s outspoken comments "incited foreign forces to rise up against British troops"
according to Labour chairman Ian McCartney. However, it was Galloway’s apparent statement that Tony Blair and George Bush
acted "like wolves" in invading Iraq, that made New Labour end their turbulent relationship.
Oli tells SSS that all important things start on the doorstep. Respect are the new Old Labour as care of the community/society is
a fundamental part of their policy. “We believe strongly in local politics and our members make regular home visits and take on
numerous casework. I mean, since July 04, I’ve worked on around 2000 cases.” We ask him what concerns his local east end
constituents. “Issues like policy on housing. Tower Hamlets has a waiting list of 21,000 people who have a 5-10 yr wait for
permanent accommodation. It’s outrageous. Action needs to be taken.”
On the working class Oli says, “We represent them. We’re here to give people a voice and opportunity and establish rules for
the whole society. We have to implement majority not minority-favouring rules. Working classes have political aims and
traditionally they vote for particular parties as they have not been given another option. That’s where we want to change things.
Most old Labour/disgruntled Labour supporters are our new voters.”
Being local eastenders ourselves, the issue of drugs is something which we needed to probe Oli on. After living on the notorious
Ocean Estate whilst at university, the worst thing was walking past used syringes and burnt foil on the stairwells especially
when local kids would run up and down and play so nearby them. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that heroin is the
cheapest and most freely available drug in Tower Hamlets. The drug statistics here are not only the worst in
London but in the entire country and surpass Scotland as being the cheapest place to get a hit. How would RESPECT combat
this ignored and growing problem?
“We have no place for drugs and take a zero toleration stance,” Oli says. “We believe you must question why young people get
involved in crime and drugs before setting up things like ASBO orders to tackle the issue. I think the way forward is to reduce
street behaviour and perhaps set up curfew /social centres/prince’s trust activities. Something positive. However, Labour are
currently shutting the very few existing centres down. Kids have no choice but to hang around on streets.
Politicians must help the young.” Yes, that’s true but the root of the drugs problem is that it doesn’t just affect kids. It affects the
old, the young and users come from all walks of life. We need politicians to give it to us practically.
We then discuss how politicians prioritise issues. Surely drugs and housing problems are equally important issues. How are
funding decisions made? “We have to equally provide resources. For example, Labour should put the money raised from council
tax back into housing,” Oli says. Oli is immensely passionate about what he does and what he feels he can do.
However, this is rehashed and tiredly over-familiar rhetoric. But until people mark their ‘x,’ this is all we can currently go by.
We raise the issue of discrimination with Oli and the worrying rise of faith-based schools. “Kids must learn about other schools
even in segregated schools. It must be part of the syllabus.” The debate gets a bit heated at this point as we try and pin Oli down
on how he would implement this as faith-based schools run their own syllabus and do not come under the Government’s
control. After much repetition of views on both sides, Oli concedes, “If not incorporate a multi-faith approach, they should be
closed down.”
Oli also expressed his opinion on two of the hottest topics in the pre-election period: immigration and ID cards. Oli harshly
attached Howard for prompting hard-line measures on immigration. “He must have forgotten he’s an immigrant himself” Oli
said. He also thinks that the creation of ID cards is a bonkers idea. He argues that IDs would never curb terrorist activities “This
is a fascist policy that aims at exploiting citizens’ fears of different cultures and therefore fragment our society.” These policies,
according to Oli, would definitely help those parties that promote racial and religious hatred as their main policy goals, such as
BNP, UKIP and Veritas.
The love/hate relationship with the media is the next we matter we discuss. “The BBC gave a platform even to the British
National Party in the local elections but not to George Galloway. There is no impartial media, media are manipulated by outside
interests.” Oli says. Of course, we agree (check out Giorgio’s media article here). As the discussion draws to an end, the SSS
team are left feeling a bit of an adrenalin rush through the debates and a little happier that a young, passionate man is taking his
first steps of making his ideals and rhetoric life-changing policies for his community a reality. Yes, there are gaps and practical
issues concerning a few policies and that’s why it’s down to you; the individual, the neighbour, the tax payer, the welfare
receiver to decide how and where we go next.
By Dee Sekar and Giorgio Murru
the Labour Party back in 2003. Galloway’s outspoken comments "incited foreign forces to rise up against British troops"
according to Labour chairman Ian McCartney. However, it was Galloway’s apparent statement that Tony Blair and George Bush
acted "like wolves" in invading Iraq, that made New Labour end their turbulent relationship.
Oli tells SSS that all important things start on the doorstep. Respect are the new Old Labour as care of the community/society is
a fundamental part of their policy. “We believe strongly in local politics and our members make regular home visits and take on
numerous casework. I mean, since July 04, I’ve worked on around 2000 cases.” We ask him what concerns his local east end
constituents. “Issues like policy on housing. Tower Hamlets has a waiting list of 21,000 people who have a 5-10 yr wait for
permanent accommodation. It’s outrageous. Action needs to be taken.”
On the working class Oli says, “We represent them. We’re here to give people a voice and opportunity and establish rules for
the whole society. We have to implement majority not minority-favouring rules. Working classes have political aims and
traditionally they vote for particular parties as they have not been given another option. That’s where we want to change things.
Most old Labour/disgruntled Labour supporters are our new voters.”
Being local eastenders ourselves, the issue of drugs is something which we needed to probe Oli on. After living on the notorious
Ocean Estate whilst at university, the worst thing was walking past used syringes and burnt foil on the stairwells especially
when local kids would run up and down and play so nearby them. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that heroin is the
cheapest and most freely available drug in Tower Hamlets. The drug statistics here are not only the worst in
London but in the entire country and surpass Scotland as being the cheapest place to get a hit. How would RESPECT combat
this ignored and growing problem?
“We have no place for drugs and take a zero toleration stance,” Oli says. “We believe you must question why young people get
involved in crime and drugs before setting up things like ASBO orders to tackle the issue. I think the way forward is to reduce
street behaviour and perhaps set up curfew /social centres/prince’s trust activities. Something positive. However, Labour are
currently shutting the very few existing centres down. Kids have no choice but to hang around on streets.
Politicians must help the young.” Yes, that’s true but the root of the drugs problem is that it doesn’t just affect kids. It affects the
old, the young and users come from all walks of life. We need politicians to give it to us practically.
We then discuss how politicians prioritise issues. Surely drugs and housing problems are equally important issues. How are
funding decisions made? “We have to equally provide resources. For example, Labour should put the money raised from council
tax back into housing,” Oli says. Oli is immensely passionate about what he does and what he feels he can do.
However, this is rehashed and tiredly over-familiar rhetoric. But until people mark their ‘x,’ this is all we can currently go by.
We raise the issue of discrimination with Oli and the worrying rise of faith-based schools. “Kids must learn about other schools
even in segregated schools. It must be part of the syllabus.” The debate gets a bit heated at this point as we try and pin Oli down
on how he would implement this as faith-based schools run their own syllabus and do not come under the Government’s
control. After much repetition of views on both sides, Oli concedes, “If not incorporate a multi-faith approach, they should be
closed down.”
Oli also expressed his opinion on two of the hottest topics in the pre-election period: immigration and ID cards. Oli harshly
attached Howard for prompting hard-line measures on immigration. “He must have forgotten he’s an immigrant himself” Oli
said. He also thinks that the creation of ID cards is a bonkers idea. He argues that IDs would never curb terrorist activities “This
is a fascist policy that aims at exploiting citizens’ fears of different cultures and therefore fragment our society.” These policies,
according to Oli, would definitely help those parties that promote racial and religious hatred as their main policy goals, such as
BNP, UKIP and Veritas.
The love/hate relationship with the media is the next we matter we discuss. “The BBC gave a platform even to the British
National Party in the local elections but not to George Galloway. There is no impartial media, media are manipulated by outside
interests.” Oli says. Of course, we agree (check out Giorgio’s media article here). As the discussion draws to an end, the SSS
team are left feeling a bit of an adrenalin rush through the debates and a little happier that a young, passionate man is taking his
first steps of making his ideals and rhetoric life-changing policies for his community a reality. Yes, there are gaps and practical
issues concerning a few policies and that’s why it’s down to you; the individual, the neighbour, the tax payer, the welfare
receiver to decide how and where we go next.
By Dee Sekar and Giorgio Murru
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