LONDON: The interests of the British MPs about Bangladesh have created enormous curiosity and questions among the Bangalees living abroad.
However these interests of the British MPs are not new, yet the interests they are showing as the member of the fountain of parliamentary democracy, have aroused questions in the Bangalaee community in Britain.
Long discussion in the British parliament held on last January 16 and comments made by some MPs are being evaluated from different angles by the Bangalees living abroad. Some think that the MPs made comments with sufficient information while some think that they had gap in knowing things in proper way.
To make the democracy forward ahead MPs of Britain debated in the parliament and in other forums with some constructive suggestions but the Bangalee community alleged to Banglanews that the activities of MPs reflects the two clear divided streams of Bangladesh politics.
Here the thoughts of Martin Harwood MP elected on Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), an alliance of the present British government and co-chair of International Affairs is presented for the readers.
Speaking on last January 16 Martin Harwood mentioned about the recent achievements of Bangladesh, rich traditional and cultural heritage, business, politics and British-Bangladesh trade and on diplomatic relations while putting his own opinion. He criticized the violence and face off positions of the rival political parties in Bangladesh.
However, he mentioned in the debate that the cancellation of caretaker government system during polls was though technically acceptable still there was lack of confidence of civil society and of some political parties on the British aided Election Commission. The supporters of the present Awami League has negative perception about the comments of Martin Harwood.
They told that they have given the reasons of cancellation of the caretaker government system persistently to APPG chair.
They differed on the comments of Martin Harwood and added that without caretaker government system it is very much possible to hold free and fair polls.
Martin however thinks that he must be careful in taking side with any political party. He is with the rights of British-Bangladeshi involved in the lobbying of own supported parties.
He came up the observation when Banglanews asked about the diversified opinion of the British-Bangladeshis and their lobbying is how far acceptable and supportive for democracy both in Bangladesh and Britain.
The British lawmaker thinks that though the voters have got right of lobbying, no MP should make comments on the concerned political party.
Giving an example about it, he told that had any associate organization or supportive alliance exists in Europe then I can take its side. For example I have recently extended my support to the parties in Russian United Democratic Party "Yabloko" and European Party of Ukraine.
He said that we have no associate organization in Bangladesh. So, I must be careful about taking any side of any political party despite my voter’s demand.
Regarding the interests of the British politicians about Bangladesh this Liberal party MP Martin Harwood pointed that it is due to the sensitivity of Bangladeshi community in Britain.
He said it is not only due to a half million Bangladeshi community but there are more reasons that in different corners of Britain there are Bangladeshi owned restaurants and their involvement with businesses.
According to Martin as the Bangladeshis are active in community and interested in politics, the local MPs meet them regularly. As a result the British MPs are conscious and updated about Bangladesh politics. So the MPs get interest about expressing their opinions.
Recently, the comments of some MPs made by them in House of Commons in a debate on Bangladesh issues have led to create mixed reactions in the community. Many alleged that the MPs had no sufficient data that led to make those comments. When the opinion of Martin was sought about the reaction of the community, he said that in every free parliament of the world there may be discussion about the interest of the voters.
Citing examples this British MP said there may be discussion in Bangladesh on British immigration policy and if it proves that due to the policy the relatives of the voters of his constituency are affected. Similarly if the interests of my voters are affected then we can discuss Bangladesh issue in our parliament, he added.
Citing more examples he added that recently they discussed on Sri Lanka, Ukraine, South Sudan, Iraq, Iran and issues of other countries. This is democracy, this is freedom of speech, he further told.
BDST: 1212 HRS, MAR 15, 2014
** British MP`s on Bangladesh-2
