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SHOCK new polling has revealed the depth of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party.
More than two-thirds of Tories believe there are areas of Britain “operating under sharia law,” according to a YouGov poll of party members.
And almost half believe there are “no-go” areas of Britain where it is unsafe for non-Muslims to visit.
The poll also showed that 43 per cent of members agreed with the statement that “I would prefer to not have the country led by a Muslim.”
Despite the findings, 79 per cent of Tories do not believe that there is a problem of Islamophobia or racism towards Muslims within the Conservative Party
Anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate has written to prime ministerial hopefuls Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt demanding they address the “Islamophobia crisis” in their party.
Hope Not Hate’s campaign director Matthew McGregor said: “No mainstream political party should accept racism and racists within its ranks.
“The Conservatives have paid lip service by saying they have zero tolerance to Islamophobia and anti-Muslim prejudice, but this new poll confirms they face a real crisis.
“From the grassroots to the great offices of state, Conservative members buy into racist myths.”
Among the poll’s other findings include 39 per cent of Tory Party members believing that “Islamist terrorists reflect a widespread hostility to Britain among the Muslim community.”
And 40 per cent want the number of Muslims entering Britain to be cut.
Only 15 per cent of members think the Conservative Party should be doing more to combat any Islamophobia or other racism within the party.
Stand Up To Racism co-convener Weyman Bennett told the Star: “This report shows the bigotry and discrimination which has been thought through in the Tory Party.
“Neither of the two candidates for leadership are fit to be prime minister if they do not challenge these views.
“These views are also a bridge to the fascism and the far right which have had far too much influence on politics in the UK.
“This Islamophobia fits in with the hostile environment that has been developed to divide and rule — a policy well-suited to the Etonian and Charterhouse class that claim to rule us.”
