With over half a million Poles living in the United Kingdom according to the 2011 census, and with a heritage in the country of the more than 200,000 Poles who moved here following the second world war, the Polish community is one that Labour can and must engage with. To this end, Labour Friends of Poland has been set up as a membership organisation open to all Labour party members and supporters aiming to encourage the Polish community in the UK to be actively involved with and to join the Labour party.

A recent Sunday Times poll showed that 37 per cent of Poles are planning to vote Labour, 17 per cent Liberal Democrat and just 15 per cent Tory. In answering the question of who is the most effective leader, 30 per cent answered Ed Miliband, and 15 per cent for both Nigel Farage and David Cameron.

The European and local elections in May are now fast approaching, and so it is important that we reach as many Poles and Europeans as possible to get them to register on electoral roll and, of course, to vote Labour. As most of them are unable to vote in the general election, this is an important opportunity for them.

We also need to be active in this arena because across the country there are several campaigns already under way which are aiming to show European citizens the threat of the United Kingdom Independence party and to highlight the Tories’ discriminatory approach towards EU citizens. These campaigns are doing the background work; we need to make sure EU citizens are out and voting to protect their rights.

In terms of Labour Friends of Poland, with such a large constituency to reach out to we want to have as many people involved. Currently our membership is free to all, and we offer information, advice and translation, including ready campaign materials in Polish and English for CLPs, candidates and party members. Any Labour candidate can get in touch with us to receive information and advice in regards to voter registration and engagement of the Polish and European communities with the Labour party. We can supply campaign text, offer translation, help with direct mail and tailored advice depending on your local situation; we also try phone-canvass swap with local parties where there are substantial numbers of Polish voters, and in the future we plan to offer help with canvassing targeting Polish and European voters. So do get in touch and let’s make sure Labour reaches out effectively to Poles in the UK!

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Ella Vine is founder of Labour Friends of Poland and is debating Conservative and Liberal Democrat Poles on Monday 14 April 2014 at 7pm in the Attlee Room, Portcullis House, House of Commons