Comparative Analysis and Muslims in National Government

Chapter Summary

The comparative analysis of the Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Hackney Boroughs and Councils reveals the specific mechanisms through which the independent variables as well as the representation styles of Muslim councillors play out. The statistical data depict that the Tower Hamlets Council has the highest local government responsiveness to Muslim demands, followed by the Newham Council. The quantitative analysis exclusively focused on the impact of party fragmentation among minority representatives on substantive representation and found it to be a significant determinant. The political incorporation of Muslim councillors in Tower Hamlets is high, for they constitute the majority of the ruling party and therefore hold leadership positions and prestigious committee assignments. The claim that the Muslim councillors articulate the interests of the Muslim constituents in council meetings finds widespread support in the interviews. Political representation of British Muslims at the national level depicts more drastic underrepresentation than at the local level.

Keywords: British Muslims; Hackney; local government responsiveness; Muslim councillors; Newham council; Tower Hamlets council