For Muslims, the matter ought to be resolved at the first hurdle: if it is haram, we abstain from it (inshaAllah). This should be no different than any other decision made by a Muslim – I don’t eat haram meat, I don’t drink alcohol, I offer my salah five times a day, etc., all because I believe that this is the command of my Rabb and his messenger Muhammad (saws).

The primary thing we need to know as Muslims is whether something is haram or halal. This is a question that each and every Muslim should be asking before doing anything, and that includes voting for “Gorgeous George”.

With regards to the 2nd question, we should face reality: People don’t vote. Some do, but fewer each year, and certainly not the youth. I don’t accept the tired excuse that the youth aren’t interested in politics: it doesn’t explain the huge number of people who attended the “Million Man March” against the war in Iraq. Furthermore, when younger people are asked about their views, they give legitimate answers.

The reality is that they aren’t voting for George and others because they don’t want to waste their time. This is OBVIOUS to anyone who has spent more than a day in any British city: in every town centre there are young people walking up to the public and radicalising the youth. Amnesty International, the NSPCC, the RNIB, homeless charities and others – we’ve all been approached by at least one. These groups are political machines, and they are effective. Now when have you even seen your local MP? They crawl out at election time making promises and badgering you for a vote, but for the next four years they’re in hiding. Worse still is that voting pacifies people – “I’ve done my bit”.

Our interests aren’t served by MPs. George is insulting all of those people that wasted their time on him.