The South Asian Shift

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BBC Radio 4 - The South Asian Shift

Barnie Choudhury investigates the changing nature of South Asian voters in the UK.

With a General Election on the horizon, Barnie Choudhury investigates the forces changing the way South Asians vote.

Historically South Asians in the UK have been linked to the Labour Party. 
That association for many Muslims goes back to early jobs for immigrants in working towns, unionised industry where Labour politicians like Roy Hattersley were quick to capitalise on a growing source of swing voters in urban areas. 
But that old model has changed. 
Barnie Choudhury investigates how assumptions about the way these communities vote are being questioned, as new generations vent their anger over Gaza, and  loosen the bonds of family influence. And he considers whether the startling increase in diversity in The Conservative Party has any actual impact at the ballot box. 
The question facing the country is whether the rock-solid political afflilations of the 1960s are evolving into a new sense of political homelessness. 

Presented by Barnie Choudhury
Produced by Kevin Core

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