One critic described the politically charged issue of Israel–Palestine in traditionally safe Labour areas with large Muslim populations as ‘sectarianism.’
Labour has lost five seats to independent challengers, including former leader Jeremy Corbyn, who campaigned on a pro-Palestine platform.
While the Labour Party secured a landslide victory in the UK general election on Friday, ending 14 years of Tory rule, some of its significant majorities were overturned by pro-Gaza independent candidates leveraging Muslim frustrations over Israel and Palestine.
The Israel–Hamas conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants, who control Gaza, initiated attacks on Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people, including children, and the capture of more than 240 hostages.
Protesters have since called for a ceasefire and cessation of the conflict and civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip.
In its manifesto, the Labour Party pledged to recognize a Palestinian state. Nevertheless, areas with substantial Muslim populations gained seats due to feelings that the party was not sufficiently supportive.
The grassroots campaign
The Muslim Vote encouraged the UK’s 4 million Muslims to vote strategically regarding Palestine.
However, critics of mass immigration warned that such developments are “wrecking our politics.”
‘Bloodshed’
Labour frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth was defeated by an independent candidate in Leicester South.
Shockat Adam’s manifesto emphasized championing “Leicester’s values of global peace and justice, neglected by the current government. Our local MP refused to support a ceasefire to stop the bloodshed in Gaza, resulting in the unnecessary deaths of thousands of innocent civilians.”
In Dewsbury and Batley, independent candidate Iqbal Mohamed, focusing on a ceasefire and peace agreement in Gaza, defeated Labour candidate Heather Iqbal.
Batley is the town in West Yorkshire where a
religious studies teacher was forced into hiding following accusations of blasphemy in March 2021 after showing a caricature of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad during a lesson on British values, leading to protests outside Batley Grammar School.
On Mr. Mohamed’s
website, he criticized both major parties for supporting the genocide in Palestine and continuing to sell arms used to kill innocent civilians in violation of international law.
In Blackburn, Adnan Hussain secured a victory in a town represented by Labour since 1955.
In a speech to a group of men amidst cries of “Inch’Allah,” he expressed disbelief that such “filth” is present in their communities.
“You must continue the struggle. Strive for a better community,” he declared.
In Birmingham Perry Barr, former Labour MP Khalid Mahmood lost to independent and former Lib Dem Ayoub Khan.
Mike Jones, director of the Migration Watch think tank, cautioned against the emerging political “sectarianism” characterized by divisions rooted in ethnic disparities.
“Mass immigration, particularly from outside Europe, not only harms the economy—it disrupts our politics,” he stated in an email to The Epoch Times.
“New voters with diverse values alter the way parties campaign and shape policies. We are already witnessing this with the Israel–Palestine protests and the introduction of a ‘Hindu manifesto.’ This is sectarianism by another name, and it will only exacerbate,” he added.
‘Worst Election’
Labour’s Jess Phillips barely retained her Birmingham Yardley seat, with 11,275 votes compared to the 10,582 won by Workers Party candidate Jody McIntyre.
“This has been the worst election I have ever participated in,” she remarked, met with boos and jeers from pro-Palestine activists in the audience.
Labour’s shadow justice secretary, Shabana Mahmood, narrowly secured re-election in Birmingham Ladywood, defeating pro-Palestine and independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob by just under 3,500 votes.
Former Labour leader Mr. Corbyn ran as an independent and successfully retained his long-held seat of Islington North in London.
“Today, Palestine is on the ballot,” he stated on the social media platform X on
Thursday. “If you re-elect me as an Independent MP in Islington North, I promise to always stand up for the people of Gaza and advocate for the only path to a just and lasting peace: ending the occupation of Palestine,” he affirmed.
PA Media contributed to this report.
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