I'm married and have three children between eight and two years of age. My husband is a GP and I am a psychotherapist. It was 9/11 and my involvement in the Stop the War Coalition that propelled me into politics. I was moved by the response of millions who, upon hearing the facts, were prepared to act. In Islam the personal and political are intertwined. We must alleviate both the impact and causes of poverty and oppression. Islam is essential to my political decision-making - it motivates and guides my stances. I would be prepared to go against a party whip on a matter of principle.

I was invited to stand by all the main parties, but felt that to fulfil a wider political vision it was more important to form an alternative. Both foreign and domestic policy is shaped by the interests of multinationals who seek profit at the expense of many. I felt disillusioned with the choices at local elections: two parties of bombing and big business, New Labour and the Tories, and one party of reluctant bombing and big business, the Liberal Democrats. There is a virtual consensus on all the main issues - and I didn't see the point of reinforcing.

Some people may want to challenge from within mainstream parties - but they will be going against their own party line most of the time in doing so. Another political vehicle reflecting their views from outside can only strengthen their position inside these other parties, or they would be isolated figures.

Smaller parties can shape the political agenda. It's a victory for them when bigger parties take their issues on board. The Greens have moved environmental issues from the fringe of politics to the centre. More negatively, the BNP have tapped into the disillusionment of many by threatening the mainstream with an electoral challenge from the right, thus shaping much of the political discourse on immigration, asylum and racism. RESPECT wants anti-racism, peace and social justice to shape debate.

There is no such thing as a 'Muslim bloc vote'. Like other communities, Muslims exercise diverse voting choices. Social deprivation and the 'war on terror' are the biggest issues affecting the quality of life of Muslims. We should support those candidates that best address them by voting tactically. Principled anti-war MPs should be supported and RESPECT will not stand candidates against them. Blair has unravelled some of the fundamentals of the welfare state in a way that would make Margaret Thatcher blush. Hospitals and schools are now built by profiteers and mortgaged for generations to come; university education is becoming the preserve of the wealthy; pension plans for public sector workers aim to increase the retirement age whilst the value of pensions is decreasing. Also, there are civil liberty abuses at home, illegal wars abroad, and racist asylum and immigration laws. Roger Godsiff has made immigration the central plank of his campaign, uniting a white racist constituency with sections of Pakistani community in attacking the Somalian community.

I would hope Muslim MPs would be seen as dedicated to the welfare of their constituents and a voice of conscience, decency and principle. A Muslim MP with such qualities would be a source of pride for all British Muslims.

This article appeared in the March/April issue of Emel Magazine, the Muslim Lifestyle Magazine www.emelmagazine.com