9 July 2024: Despite a surge in Islamophobic sentiment, the recent UK election has seen an unprecedented number of Muslims elected to the House of Commons, with 25 Muslim MPs now holding seats, stated the Muslim Network TV in its report. This marks a significant increase from 19 in 2019 and 15 in 2017, reflecting the growing electoral influence of the UK’s 3.4 million Muslims.
Among the newly elected MPs, 15 are from the Labour Party, four are independents, and two represent the Conservative Party. Eight first-time Muslim candidates have won seats, further diversifying the political landscape.
Key New Labour MPs:
– Sadik Al-Hassan (North Somerset): A pharmacist, Al-Hassan ended Conservative Liam Fox’s 32-year tenure, winning with 19,138 votes. He has pledged to rebuild the NHS and improve access to public services.
– Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central): The daughter of a Yemeni steelworker, Mohamed is the UK’s first Yemeni MP. She won with 52.1% of the vote and aims to advocate for peace in the Middle East.
– Zubir Ahmed (Glasgow South West): A transplant surgeon, Ahmed focused his campaign on NHS issues, defeating the SNP’s Chris Stephens with 15,552 votes.
Independent Victories and Free-Palestine Support
Several independent candidates also made significant gains, particularly those with strong free-Palestine campaigns. Among the notable Independents are:
– Shockat Adam (Leicester South)
– Iqbal Mohamed (Dewsbury and Batley)
– Adnan Hussain (Blackburn)
– Ayoub Khan (Birmingham Perry Barr)
The influence of Muslim voters supporting Gaza was evident, especially in constituencies like Ilford North, where British-Palestinian Leanne Mohamad narrowly lost to Labour’s Wes Streeting.
The new parliament is the most diverse in UK history, with 89 MPs from ethnic minority backgrounds. The Muslim MPs include both re-elected and new members across various constituencies with significant Muslim populations.
Notable Re-Elected Muslim MPs:
– Mohammad Yasin (Labour, Bradford)
– Rushanara Ali (Labour, Bethnal Green and Bow)
– Tahir Ali (Labour, Birmingham Hall Green)
– Shabana Mahmood (Labour, Birmingham Ladywood)
Several constituencies with substantial Muslim populations elected Labour MPs, such as Birmingham Hodge Hill (62% Muslim) and Bradford West (59% Muslim).
This election marks a significant milestone, highlighting the increasing political participation and influence of Muslim communities in the UK. Despite challenges, the rise in Muslim representation offers a promising step toward greater inclusivity and diversity in British politics.
