In the wake of the slaughter at Charlie Hebdo in Paris the question of Muslim integration in the West has only become more vexed, but a report from the leftist think tank British Future (BF) is suggesting that it is “unlikely” to play a part in the general election in May.
A survey carried out by the group showed that 58 percent of Britons believed that most Muslims in the UK opposed the extremism and violence of IS, while 12 thought the opposite (the remainder were neutral or did not know).
Both Labour and the Tories would have more to gain than lose if they adopted more extreme policies on public spending, migration and American-led foreign wars, according to a poll by YouGov.
A fifth of voters said they were more likely to vote for Labour if they looked to grow the economy through a programme including public spending, while only 14 percent said the opposite.
The anti-austerity party Syriza has won the greatest number of seats in the Greek election, according to figures from the country’s home office.
The party is at present predicted to claim 150 out of 300 seats, almost double the incumbent New Democracy party, which is heading towards 76.
It was inevitable that the slaughter at the offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on January 7th would excite comment on the strained relations between the West and Islam, and the London press was among many who obliged during the last week.
After a three day manhunt heavily chronicled by journalist around the world, and subsequent rallies in France attended by 3.7 million across France on Sunday, the publication of the latest edition of Charlie Hebdo is set to further concentrate minds on the constraints of free speech.
There have been two big moves from 10 Downing Street in the last week concerning the place of TV debates in the run-up to the general election.
The first was a decision to avoid a debate between the major British parties unless the left-wing Greens were allowed in. The other was a last minute retreat from a promised appearance on Leaders Live, in which youths can put questions to party leaders.