Sikh Identity and The UK Elections

London : There is a good prospect that after June 8th when the people of the UK participate in a General Election, we are likely to have our first ever turban wearing Member of Parliament.
This will be a good thing as it will be one further step towards a parliament that reflects the diversity of the electorate. Though I broadly agree with the general principle that for democracies to function properly they should be representative of the population, I am unsure that external physical appearance should be the prime criteria for casting ones vote. For example, as a socialist, if I have the choice between supporting a turban wearing Sikh candidate standing as an independent or for the Conservatives and a non-Sikh or non-turban wearing Sikh standing for Labour, who should I support?
Of course political ideology, though important, should not be the only criteria, and the track record of the candidate should be considered. But, to simply decide to vote based on a politics of identity seems to me to be equally problematic. One of the arguments being made for voting for turban wearing Sikhs  is that we should have more of them in Parliament; and often the Canadian parliament, which has turban wearing Sikhs in the highest of offices, is offered as an example to aspire to. Whilst again, I recognise and sympathise  the general desire for diversity, I am afraid, simply focusing on outward identity itself could be mistake. Yes, we have wonderful examples in such personas as Jagmeet Singh in the Ontario Parliament and Harjit Sajjan who is the Canadian Defence minister. But if we look beneath the turban, we find in both these examples, persons of exceptional character, integrity, courage and ability.