Asians still angry over Iraq war

Asian communities anger with Labour and Tories was far from being mollified as was seen in the by-election result in Scotland.

A by-election result in Scotland has not only bared the lack of popularity of many senior politicians but also indicated that Asian communities angry with Labour and Tories over Iraq war are as yet not mollified.

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Their voting has dealt a devastating blow to Labour. It has also shown that the new Tory leader David Cameron has as yet to develop rapport with voters.

Chancellor Gordon Brown, the prime minister-in-waiting, has got the maximum jolt. He has been dealt a stunning blow by the Liberal Democrats (Lib Dem) in his backyard. The Lib Dem won the Dunfermline and West Fife by-election over turning an 11,500 Labour majority at the last election.

The winner Willie Rennie, said the result would "rock the foundations" of Downing Street, but the ministers said it was due to "local issues".

Brown had worked tirelessly for the Labour Party to retain the seat, which neighbours his. The victory was more stunning because the Lib Dem party had been reeling under several scandals involving it and nobody thought they stood a chance, traditionally held by Labour.

But former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy, who was hounded out by his senior colleagues could take credit for the victory. He campaigned vigorously and collected good crowds.

The result also comes as Labour begins its spring conference in Blackpool, with Tony Blair due to deliver a keynote speech on Friday.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling tried to explain that the government had lost the by-election mainly because of "local issues", such as plans to increase tolls on the Forth Road Bridge and the quality of hospitals.

But the Iraq war was also largely responsible for the voters, large number of whom are from Asian communities angry with Labour and Tories, said an analyst. Labour would have to do much more to appease them.

This poses a serious quandary to Labour, given the pressure for suppressing Muslim extremists who have taken advantage of the anger of the community over the caricatures of the Prophet.