{L-R: Gene Alcantara, Steven Cheung}
If you are a British Citizen or an EU or Commonwealth citizen resident in the UK, then the 4th of June 2009 is your chance to vote in the European Parliamentary election. You may not think it is as important as our National General Election but it is. The European Parliament is the world’s only directly elected transnational and multilingual parliament, and the EU’s only directly elected institution, with 27 countries represented.
There are two candidates from the British Asian community for the vote of MEP, they are Gene Alcantara and Steven Cheung.
GENE ALCANTARA
Gene Alcantara is a journalist, writer, former British Council official and an active leader of the Filipino Community in London.
Press Release: Gene Alcantara, a British citizen since 1992, has declared his intention to run for office in the forthcoming European Parliamentary elections on 4 June 2009. He knows that Europe is key to influencing government policy in the UK and he hopes to do that if elected for London.
For too long now ethnic minorities, migrants and East and Central Europeans in the UK have been made the scapegoat for a lot of the ills of British society. Critics have blamed them for the pressures on housing, healthcare and social services, for illegal working, and for taking jobs away from the locals. In this difficult time of global recession, these have created a climate of fear and uncertainty among migrants, and resentment in the wider British community, instead of acceptance and integration.
Government policy has not helped at all, continually putting pressures on migrants, squeezing them for more money and making it more difficult for them to exercise their rights as British and European citizens.
Instead of this, Alcantara said, “I would stress the positive contribution of migrants to Britain, harness their energies, and work on building a more inclusive and fair society that does not discriminate or exclude those who have spent their lives serving the good of this country.”
Alcantara urges all ethnic minorities, migrants and East and Central Europeans in the 74 London parliamentary constituencies to register to vote and turn out on polling day to make their voices heard. It is estimated that 29% of the 7 million Londoners come from the ethnic minorities, and its population is the most diverse in the UK. They have until 19 May to register as electors, and could also apply to vote by post until then.
STEVEN CHEUNG
Princess Diana Award winner Steven Cheung from London, 19, could become the youngest ever Member of the European Parliament if elected.
His press release reads: Cheung’s mother is Filipino and his father Chinese. He was born in Hong Kong and grew up in London. He remembered his arrival in the UK when he was 11, “It is often difficult for immigrants like us to settle in a new country, trying to maintain our cultural identity, while at the same time under pressure to integrate into the society at large.”
He said he will use this opportunity to show that it is possible for people from different cultures to live together and respect each other. He believes that the East Asian in London can be a minority yet have their voices heard. ”The key is to stand up and be counted, express our needs and find common goals.” said Cheung.
In the last 12 months, Cheung has been taking a gap year from his studies. He was elected the London 2012 Olympic Ambassador for WalthamForest and then appointed by the Ministry of Justice as a Young Advisor. He was consulted for his viewpoints as a young person by the police last week on security issues for the G20 summit. He also meets regularly with Jack Straw, the Lord Chancellor and Hazel Blears, the Secretary for Communities with his advisory work.
Cheungfeels passionate about the rights for everyone, especially the minorities groups. He said: “The more I meet with government officials, the more I realise there is so little representation for people like us. I think we need a strong voice for the East Asian. And of course, a stronger voice from young people too.”
He appealed to the Filpino community in the UK to come together and register to vote before the deadline on the 19th of May. He plans to confirm his candidacy on the 7th of May and will be running a new series of fund-raising drive for his campaign in the coming weeks.
There is an estimate of over 200 thousand Chinese and at least 100 thousand Filipinos residing in the London constituency at the European Parliament election. In the 2004 poll, the number of votes required to win a seat was just over 150 thousands.In theory, Cheung can win one of the eight seats this June if he manages to secure all the Chinese and the Filipino votes. Although there has been a long history of low turnout among the Chinese and the Filipino voters, Cheung has been inspiring many to register for the first time.
“I am different from other candidates because I am a “Doer”, not a “Talker”. I will listen to the people, and bring their voices into Europe because, as an independent candidate, I won’t be restraint by party lines” Cheung explained.
Whoever you choose will represent you and nearly 500 million European residents for the next five years. By voting for the MEP you want, they will be able to shape the future of the European Parliament. It’s not just laws that they will have a say but also investment in education, research, aid, new roads and also where our EU money goes.
Voting is your fundamental right and your opportunity to have your say with how the European Union works. Make sure you are registered by the 19th of May 2009. If you need more information on how to register go to: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and click on ‘Register to vote’. If you don’t vote, don’t complain.
Vote for the MEP who represents you and you could make it happen. That’s what democracy is all about. Make the difference.
Links:
Acknowledgement & thanks to Gene Alcantara, Steven Cheung and Joseph Wu.
Posted on 8 May 2009 by Lani in Culture, Politics
Tagged eu, europe, gene alcantara, mep, parliament, steven cheung, voting
I just registered
I’m a firm believer in the prinicpal that if you can’t be bothered to participate then you can’t complain about what happens afterwards!
I agree Gem!
I received my voting card yesterday, so I am ready to vote! It did come along with a Green Party leaflet so that will make an interesting read.
[...] Alcantara, a British citizen of Filipino descent has declared his intention to run for office in the forthcoming European Parliamentary elections on June 4, 2009. Alcantara is a journalist, [...]