Labour Party the default choice for S Asians

Welcome to Southall.

The thriving London neighbourhood of Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims from Pakistan and India, in addition to dozens of other immigrant nationalities, illustrates the governing Labour Party's waning support among ethnic minorities.

Labour incumbent Piara Khabra is likely to beat Conservative Mark Nicholson and Liberal Democrat Nigel Bakhai to hold onto the seat for Ealing-Southall, but with a smaller majority than he had in the last two elections in 2001 and 1997, analysts within the South Asian community say.

However, the anticipated result is less a ringing endorsement for Prime Minister Tony Blair than a reflection of the lack of real alternatives.

Indeed, election watchers expect Labour will win virtually all of the 70 races nationwide where the Asian vote -- both Muslim and non-Muslim -- is a factor, but with a slimmer margin than last time.

It is not just Asian Muslims who are upset with Prime Minister Tony Blair's war in Iraq and tough anti-terrorism measures.

Non-Muslims have also voiced discontent because of Blair's policies on the Middle East and worries about education and immigration.

Though some may vote Liberal Democrat -- the third force in British politics, and the only main party to oppose the Iraq war -- many do not know where to turn if they drop Labour, said S.S. Virk, the Sikh managing director of Des Pardes, a British-Punjabi community newspaper.

Virk, who has received many letters expressing discontent with Labour, said people "feel they need a change but then again, they know Labour is going to win, so better support them".