Mohammed Zulfikar

We are concerned by the rise of Islamophobia, the negative coverage of Muslims in the media, the violent street mobilisations of extreme rightwing organisations like the English Defence League, and the rising electoral support for the British National party (The battle for Barking, Weekend, 13 March). Following Channel 4’s recent inflammatory documentary, Britain’s Islamic Republic, which saw concentrated attacks on the East London Mosque, the English Defence League marched through central London with placards including the demand “Close the East London Mosque now”.

The East End of London is not new to having its communities attacked by fascists and the media. The 1930s saw the Battle of Cable Street when Oswald Mosley's blackshirts attempted to march into the Jewish community in the area. We cannot allow this terrible history to repeat itself. Further, the documentary, and articles since, have attacked the participation in politics by the Muslim community. We cannot stand by and watch this continue without remark or action.

In the runup to the general election, all parts of the population should be actively encouraged to exercise their votes. That is democracy. We welcome the work of organisations who work to this end. We call for solidarity and support for those organisations that work to encourage political participation from all sections of society, including Muslims, and condemn those who seek to undermine it.

Ken Livingstone, Bonnie Greer, Dr Abdul Bari Secretary general, Muslim Council of Britain, Brendan Barber General secretary, TUC, Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC, Dr. Edie Friedman Executive director, Jewish Council for Racial Equality, Diane Abbott MP,Neil Jameson Executive director, London Citizens, Jagtar Singh Sikh Secretariat, Tony Woodley Joint general secretary, Unite the Union, Bruce Kent, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Professor Eric Hobsbawm, Louise Christian, Christian Khan solicitors, Billy Hayes General secretary, Communication Workers Union, Rabbi Lee Wax, Anas Altikriti Spokesperson, British Muslim Initiative, Caroline Lucas MEP, Professor Avi Shlaim, Lord Nazir Ahmed, Kate Hudson Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Andrew Stunell MP, Ismail Patel Co-ordinator, YouElect, Claude Moraes MEP, Rev. Alan Green Chair, Tower Hamlets Interfaith forum, George Galloway MP, Musleh Faradhi Central president, Islamic Forum Europe, Jean Lambert MEP, Salma Yaqoob Leader, Respect party, Jenny Jones AM, Steve Hart Regional secretary, Unite London Region, Andrew Murray Chair, Stop the War, Bell Ribeiro-Addy NUS black students officer, Sabby Dhalu Joint secretary, Unite Against Fascism, Dave Prentis, General Secretary UNISON

The best thing you could say about today's Budget speech from Chancellor Darling is that at least George Osborne wasn't delivering it.

New Labour has attempted to distance itself from Tory plans to immediately begin cutting public spending if they win the next election. They have even provided a tiny amount of stimulus to the economy to offset some of the worst effects of the recession. But these measures are pathetically small by international standards - any smaller and they wouldn't have registered at all.

But the really bad news is still to come. Over the next 5 years today's Budget plans to reduce public spending by one quarter compared to the expected growth in the economy. That means as our classrooms and hospital needs grow, New Labour intends to provide 25% less of the spending for those real needs. Disastrously, when the economy is already reeling from a collapse in investment, it also intends to reduce its own investment by over £10bn this year.

The strangest thing of all is that the Budget shows that stimulus works. The limited measures taken previously such as the VAT cut had the effect of boosting the economy and the tax revenues. The government deficit actually came in nearly £10bn lower than forecast. And the the interest rate paid to the financial markets was also lower than forecast- so much for the foolish idea that cuts are needed to 'reassure the markets'.

But look what is happening to that windfall. Just £200mn of it is going to prop up the economy, the rest is going to pay down debt. This is a windfall that could have been used to really get the economy going again and people back to work, spending and paying taxes. Instead, it's a windfall for the bond market. What a waste.

Investment NOT cuts

Remember, you can’t vote for anyone unless you are registered.

Contact Mohammed on 07715 907 919 or by email CLICK HERE