Abu Yusra Chowdhury
The Conservative Party’s attitude towards British Muslims began promisingly with the historic appointment of the first Muslim woman, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, as a Cabinet minister in 2010.
Nearly a decade later, the Party made another significant stride in representation by appointing Sajid Javid as the first Muslim to hold two of the great offices of state: Home Secretary and, briefly, Chancellor. Positive policies also emerged, such as the acknowledgement of the need for Sharia-compliant student loans and the investment in monitoring and combating anti-Muslim hatred.
However, these advancements were eclipsed by the persistent Islamophobia that has permeated the party and its supporters in the media. This was exemplified on the last day of Parliament before its dissolution on 24 May. Julian Knight, outgoing MP for Solihull and former Conservative member claimed that he “whistleblew on two occasions over Islamophobia and racism that I had seen in my party, and nothing was done.”
This timeline reflects the complex and often contentious relationship between the Conservative Party and the British Muslim community, highlighting significant events, controversial appointments, and criticisms over engagement and policy decisions.
Tumultuous timeline of Tory Government-Muslim Relations
2010 MAY
The Tory Party, led by David Cameron, comes into government. Baroness Sayeeda Warsi becomes the first Muslim woman to hold a Cabinet position as Minister without Portfolio.
2011 FEB
Cameron delivered a contentious speech at the Munich Security Conference, criticizing state multiculturalism and linking it to the rise of Islamist extremism. He suggested that Britain requires a stronger national identity to counter extremism.
2012
The government funds ‘Tell Mama’ to address and counter anti-Muslim hatred. Despite facing scrutiny for its ties to Muslim communities, the organization’s statistics serve as a significant metric for tracking anti-Muslim incidents in the UK.
The cross-government Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group is founded to tackle anti-Muslim sentiment. However, it was uncovered in 2024 that the group had not convened for 4 years.
2013 APR
Ukrainian nationalist Pavlo Lapshyn murders Muslim grandfather Mohammed Saleem and bombs several mosques in the West Midlands. Despite Lapshyn’s extremist right-wing views, the case is not formally treated as terrorism by the authorities and government.
2013 JUL
The government’s support for Srebrenica Memorial Day, commemorating the victims of the 1995 genocide, marking a significant step in acknowledging historical injustices experienced by Muslims.
2014 MAR
The “Trojan Horse” affair begins with claims of an Islamist plot to seize control of Birmingham schools, leading to a clash between Education Secretary Michael Gove and Home Secretary Theresa May. In 2022, a New York Times podcast suggests the controversy may have been an Islamophobic hoax.
2015 JAN
Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, sends a letter to mosque leaders urging them “to lay out more clearly than ever before what being a British Muslim means today proud of your faith and proud of your country.” The letter is seen as patronising and sparks objections from Muslim organisations.
2016 JUN
Zac Goldsmith, the Tory candidate for London Mayor, faces widespread criticism for his contentious campaign, which is accused of being divisive and Islamophobic towards his opponent, Sadiq Khan, Khan, as London’s first Muslim mayor, receives death threats, criticism from Donald Trump, and accusations of facilitating an Islamist takeover of London.
2017 JUN
Darren Osborne perpetrates a terrorist attack by driving a van into worshippers outside Finsbury Park Mosque in north London, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. This incident underscores mounting apprehensions regarding the far-right threat, which a government official anonymously asserted on BBC Radio 4 in 2014 was being overlooked.
2018 AUG
Boris Johnson, writing for the Telegraph, compares Muslim women wearing the niqab to “letterboxes” and “bank robbers”. Despite widespread criticism, no disciplinary action is taken against him by the Tory Party.
2019 MAY
The government refuses to accept the definition of Islamophobia proposed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, opting instead to develop an alternative definition and appoint an Independent Advisor. However, the advisor was later dismissed, with no replacement named. In 2024, Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch reaffirmed the Tory Party’s rejection, echoing a discredited claim that the definition could lead to blasphemy being introduced indirectly.
2020 MAR
A dossier detailing over 300 incidences of Islamophobia within the Tory Party is sent to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
2020 JUN
Criticism arises over the government’s handling of COVID-19, particularly concerning Muslim and minority communities. The government is accused of failing to address the disproportionate impact of the virus on these communities and not providing adequate support.
2021 MAY
An independent investigation into Islamophobia in the Tory Party finds that anti-Muslim sentiment remains a problem but stops short of condemning the party’s overall culture. Critics argue the investigation is a whitewash and fails to address systemic issues.
2021 JUL
William Shawcross is appointed to lead an independent review of the Prevent strategy. Shawcross, previously criticised for his views on Islam, faces backlash, and his review is later criticised for downplaying the far-right threat. In the early years of the Tory government, the ideologue is appointed as chair of the Charities Commission, which subsequently pursued a record number of investigations into Muslim charities.
2022 JAN
Tory MP Nusrat Ghani reveals she was told her “Muslimness” was making colleagues uncomfortable. This disclosure intensifies calls for the Tory Party to address Islamophobia within its ranks.
2022 SEP
Robin Simcox is appointed Commissioner for Countering Extremism. In a previous article, he called for Boris Johnson to push back against the term “Islamophobia,” raising concerns about his suitability for the role.
2023 MAR
Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, falsely claims in the Daily Mail that UK child grooming gangs are “almost all British-Pakistani men.” The newspaper later issues a correction, but Braverman continues to make inflammatory statements against Muslims without facing censure.
2023 SEP
Lord Austin, known for his anti-Muslim and pro-Israel advocacy, is appointed to lead a review of unrest between Hindus and Muslims.
2023 OCT
Braverman calls pro-Palestinian protests “hate marches” and aims to ban them, a move perceived as an effort to suppress pro-Palestinian voices, worsening ties with the Muslim community.
2024 FEB
Interfaith Network announced closure after Communities Secretary, Michael Gove, withdrew funding because a Muslim trustee was formerly a member of the Muslim Council of Britain.
2024 MAR
Lee Anderson MP, the former co-chair of the Tory Party, employs anti-Muslim tropes to depict London Mayor Sadiq Khan as being surrounded by Islamists. The Tory Party fails to take decisive action against Anderson, prompting allegations of condoning Islamophobia.
2024 MAR
Government announces a war memorial to be built for Muslims who served in the British Armed Forces, recognising their contributions and sacrifices.
2024 MAR
Government announces increased spending into combatting anti-Muslim hatred and mosque security. Given the government’s poor engagement with Muslim communities, difficult to ascertain what take up will be.
2024 MAR
Following the Gaza crisis, the Tory Party heightens its anti-Muslim rhetoric by defining extremism in a way that unfairly equates mainstream Muslim groups with far-right organizations. This move has been widely criticized as Islamophobic and politically motivated.
READ MORE GENERAL ELECTION RELATED COVERAGE
Concern over Islamophobia as PM announces General Election date
Editorial: Khan wins third term as Mayor of London against odds
Editorial: Muslims’ “issue voting” rattles Establishment
Historic milestones: First Muslim mayors in Brighton, Sandwell, and Solihull
Muslim voter impact: 2024 local elections spooking establishment and bigots alike
EXCLUSIVE: Over 150 Muslim councillors elected
