During General Election year many issues come to he fore. But this year world events have galvanised all the three major political parties and the Muslim vote, it seems, is a lucrative prize.

It was no surprise that the government launched a Muslims For Labour group over a year ago as it found legions of Muslim voters turning their backs on the Labour Party.

This year that very group will be responsible for trying to woo back some of those voters who have lost the trust in what they would perceive as an 'anti-Muslim' party.

Reports say that as much as 75% of the Muslim community voted for Labour in May 2001 elections and that the Labour Party will be happy to get half that figure this time.

Muslims who had staunchly supported Labour through thick and thin are said to now find themselves at odds with the Party's ruling elite.

One of those men responsible for rescuing that vote is Councillor Afzal Khan, Deputy Mayor of Manchester City Council.

We asked him how difficult it was persuading members of the Muslim community not to ditch Labour at the coming general election.

"It's not been easy with issues such as the Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan on many people's minds. But we have been in government over seven years and during that time decisions are bound to have been made that we as Muslims have not been happy with.

"I have a lot of sympathy with the Muslim community however whilst there have been negative sides there have also been many positive policies. And we musn't forget issues such as state funding for Muslim schools."

"When people look at all three parties and then the positives the Labout Party has, I am sure they will see us as the party that can make the difference."

And the notion that Muslims for Labour was set up in a bid to stop the desertion?

"No not at all. I see the Muslims for Labour group as long-term initiative and a future lobbying tool.

"It is after all more effective to express your views from the inside than the outside."

The Conservative Party barely acknowl edged the Muslim vote in general elections gone by. However, this year even leader Michael Howard predicted that at least two Muslim Tories would become MPs in the coming election.

His party has no Muslims in the Commons. He boasted that, with ten, it has the highest ever number of Muslim candidates, compared with seven for Labour.

Big talk for a political party who's policies in the past were the very reason most Muslims voted for Labour.

Imtiaz Ameen a Dewsbury Lawyer was unveiled last month as the Conservative Parliamentary candidate to take on Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at the next General Election.

He said,"In the past I would say the Muslim vote in some areas was not a sizeable vote. Now if you want to succeed you cannot ignore any community and be more welcoming to all."

"After the war in Iraq Muslims have abandoned the Labour party in numbers and they seem to looking elsewhere."

"The Conservative party ideology favours that of much of the Muslim community."

For the Liberal Democrats the war in Iraq has allowed to it cash in on Muslim sympathies.

Just before Christmas The Muslim Council of Britain met with senior Liberal Democrats to discuss the law lords judgement on detentions in Belmarsh, equality issues and incitement to religious hatred plans.

Sajjad Karim who became the first Muslim MEP in the region in last years European Elections knows all too well the importance of reaching out to all the communities.

"I would say if it wasn't for the Muslim vote we would not have two MEP's in the region.

"I think political parties have realised the Muslim electorate is not as it was before.

"In the past the Labour Party relied on two or three contacts to get their message across but that has changed."

"The Muslim community has traditionally been Labour and they would unconditionally give them their vote. And what did they get in return?"

"Will Labour get as much as 75% of the vote this time round - I think not"

The three major political parties might well be fighting for the Muslim votes but in some towns it doesn't matter.

With the BNP fielding candidates across the North West many Muslims will have no choice but to vote for the strongest opposition in the area.

Whoever that may be.