A new opinion poll figures released today show that 75 per cent
of Londoners support 'the right of all persons to dress in accordance with
their religious
beliefs' with 18 per cent disagreeing -a majority of four to one. 82 per
cent of Londoners believe 'everybody in London should be free to live their
lives how they like as long as they don't stop other people doing the same'
with 13 per cent disagreeing.
The poll also showed extremely strong disagreement
with the view that the Government should be allowed to tell people how
to lead their lives. Only
15 per cent of Londoners agreed 'the British Government has the right to
tell me how to lead my life' with 76 per cent disagreeing, and even stronger
opposition to the media doing so - only 4 per cent of Londoners agreed the
'media has the right to tell me how to live my life' with 94 per cent disagreeing.
The
figures coincide with a central London cross party, multi-faith public meeting
being organised by Liberty and the British Muslim Initiative at Methodist
Central Hall, Westminster, this evening in support of `Freedom of conscience,
religion and thought'. This will bring together speakers drawn from across
the political spectrum, and individuals representing different faiths and
none.
The poll was undertaken by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Greater London
Authority, and also shows that 94 percent of Londoners believe that 'everyone
in Britain
has a fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience, speech and religion,
as long as they do not stop others having the same right.'
74 per cent of
Londoners believe that it is important that 'there are regular events and
festivals to celebrate London's different ethnic and religious
communities.'
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who is speaking at tonight's
rally, said: 'These figures are consistent with previous polls and confirm
that Londoners
strongly support living in a city as diverse as London. London is applying
the principle that people should be able to live their lives as they choose,
including the way they practise their religion, as long as it does not prevent
others doing the same. Such a strong support of liberal values is a core
foundation of good community relations. This is confirmed by the 40 per cent
decline in racist attacks in London over the last six years. The poll confirms
that Londoners are strongly opposed to attempts to limit their rights to
freedom of expression or religion. 'This rally is an important first step
of a national campaign.'
The following are due to speak at the rally; Jon
Cruddas MP, Shadow Spokesman on Community Cohesion; Dominic Grieve MP, Liberal
Democrat Spokesman on Community
and Local Government; Andrew Stunnell MP, Spokesman of the British Muslim
Initiative; Anas Altikriti, Director of Liberty; Shami Chakrabarti.