Are Hindus natural Conservatives?

The 2015 General Election has provided some fascinating insights in the behaviour of Hindu voters.

A post-election survey conducted by Survation for the integration and migration think tank ‘British Future’ found that up to a million ethnic minority votes helped put David Cameron into Downing Street. Over 2,000 people of ethnic minority origin were interviewed across Britain between 8 and 14 May 2015. The Labour Party continues to be the preference for ethnic minorities gaining 52% of the ethnic vote. The Conservatives gained 33% of the ethnic vote which a marked increase from previous general elections. In 2010, the Labour Party had 68% of the ethnic vote and Conservatives 16% according to EMBES 2010 research data. So there is a major shift of balance between the big two parties.

According to the data, more Hindus and Sikhs voted for the Conservatives (49%) compared to Labour (41%). Muslims voted 25% Conservative and 64% Labour. And Christians followed a similar trend with Labour vote of 56% and 31% Conservatives.

• Christians         56% Labour, 31% Conservative (28% & 24% in 2010)
• Muslim              64% Labour, 25% Conservative (41% & 12% in 2010)
• Hindu                41% Labour, 49% Conservative (35% & 18% in 2010)
• Sikh                  41% Labour, 49% Conservative (37% & 15% in 2010)

In the previous election in 2010, according the BRIN at the University of Manchester, Conservatives only received 18% of the vote from Hindus and that has now nearly doubled. The Labour vote in 2010 was highest among Muslims (41%) and lowest for Christians (28%), with Hindus (35%) and Sikhs (37%).

There can be questioned asked about the different methodologies and organisations conducting polls. And while one has to be careful in interpreting such data, it seems to be abundantly clear that the Conservatives are attracting the Hindu and Sikh vote comparatively better than in their previous escapades. Not surprising, there were record number ethnic candidates put forward by the Conservatives which would have helped matters.

So why are Hindus attracted to the Conservative Party? The obvious analysis is linked to the hard work and business ethos which gels well with both Hindus and the Conservatives. Not all would agree! But, also, the explosive issue of caste legislation which the Labour Party was adamant to push probably caused much damage. The picture is not as simple. One will have to wait and see how the story pans out as more details emerge about the voting patterns and the which political party will confront the issues that matter to the British Hindu community.