Ahead of parliamentary elections in the United Kingdom, MP Lee Scott appeals to British citizens living in Israel to make their vote count
By AVIRAM ZINO/MAARIV HASHAVUAFireworks explode behind the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben on the River Thames during New Year's celebrations in London(photo credit: REUTERS)
No less than 37,000 citizens or workers in Israel are eligible voters in the elections for the British Parliament, which will occur on May 7 this year.One who would like to vote in Israel can do so easily via the Internet.It’s with elections in mind that MP Lee Scott wanted to speak of Britain’s stance on anti-Semitism, relations with Israel and relations between the UK and the EU to keep those in Israel with British citizenship involved in the politics back home.Scott is Jewish, and his family lives in Israel. He is a member of the ruling Conservative Party, representing the Ilford North constituency, which consists of a mixed population of Christians, Jews and Muslims. He is an officer in the Conservative Friends of Israel parliamentary group that works to strengthen economic, cultural and social ties.Scott reached out to Prime Minister David Cameron for comment on the state of rising anti-Semitism in Europe. Cameron reiterated the call that all eligible British voters in Israel exercise their democratic rights.He said that as long as he is prime minister, the government will “fight anti-Semitism with everything we have got. Together we will see to it that Britain remains a country where Jews live and are proud to call home – today, tomorrow and for every generation to come.”Scott was born on April 6, 1956, in East London, graduating Clarks College and afterwards London College of Distributive Trades. He has been married to Estelle Dombey since 1987 and has three girls and two boys, four of whom live in Israel, along with his grandchildren. Scott was elected in the 2005 general elections and he has served since then in the British Parliament.During the interview Scott revealed that as opposed to an average English man, he is a Eurovision fan more than a soccer fan.“I love the Eurovision, I was there last year as a representative of the government. The first competition was held on the day I was born.”Is there anti-Semitism in the UK? In Europe?It would be a lie to say that there is no anti-Semitism in the UK, but, look, I think we are very lucky in Britain, because it is a very safe place to live in, and also for Jews. It’s different compared to other places in Europe. Our government is completely committed to fight anti-Semitism, and we operate to propose laws to strengthen our position. I read things written all over the world, but this is not the case in the UK, there is anti-Semitism in Britain, but not at the same level as in France and Central Europe. We have the media and the government who are opposed to it.... The right wing is rising, and radical Islam, there is no use hiding from it. It would be inappropriate for me to talk about other governments in Europe, aside from my impression of them.The full interview with British Member of Parliament Lee Scott which will be published in full in the March 20th, Friday edition of The Jerusalem Post Magazine.
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