Elections attract all sorts of people and this is no exception: the Muslim Public Affairs Committee have decided that I am one of their prime targets, because of my “hardcore fanatical support of Israel”, and they have come to Hendon to attempt to stir up the local Muslim community, with whom I have always had excellent relations, against me.
I’m bemused by the MPAC quote in the JC, describing my two main opponents as “Zionists, but they are not as bad as he is”. It was great to see the Liberal Democrat candidate wholly disown MPAC, its policies and its campaigning methods and reject any votes for him based on MPAC advice.
What is worrying about the MPAC intervention, though, is the potential impact on community relations. Generally speaking, in Hendon the Muslim and Jewish communities get on well and outsiders coming to stir up trouble is utterly unacceptable.
MPAC wish to claim my “scalp” in the same way that they claimed to have unseated Lorna Fitzsimons in the 2005 elections. If I lose, they will treat it as their victory and use it as a tool to radicalise local Muslims and argue that I was abandoned by the Jewish community for whom I have worked so hard.
There is a lot more at stake, therefore, than my own personal future in Parliament: this election involves local community relations as a whole.
I am pleased at the support I have had from Jewish people in the area who have told me they recognize my track record of achievement and support.
I am hopeful and quietly confident that the Jewish community is going to stand by me in this challenge to my re-election, as I have stood by them and by Israel throughout my 13 years as Hendon’s MP.
Andrew Dismore is the Labour MP for Hendon. He is standing for re-election.
This blog is part of the JC.com's On The Campaign Trail blog for the Election 2010 where candidates in key Jewish areas have been invited to blog. Read more on our Election 2010 page