5 July 2024: Pro-Palestine independent candidate Ayoub Khan achieved a surprising victory against Labour’s longstanding MP Khalid Mahmood in the UK general election, winning the Birmingham Perry Barr seat by a narrow margin of 507 votes. Khan garnered 13,303 votes, securing 35.5% of the vote share, while Mahmood, who had held the constituency since 2001, received 12,796 votes, or 34.1%.
In his victory speech, Khan acknowledged the difficulty of voting for an independent candidate and emphasized themes of justice, fairness, and equality. Draped in a Palestinian flag scarf, he dedicated his win to the people of Gaza.
Khan, a local councillor and barrister, resigned from the Liberal Democrats in May, citing their attempts to prevent him from speaking about Gaza. His campaign focused on local issues such as the cost of living crisis, crime, and unemployment, alongside his strong stance on Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza. This stance resonated with the large Muslim voter base in the constituency.
Many Muslim voters across the UK expressed dissatisfaction with Labour’s position on Gaza, especially its early call for an “enduring cessation of fighting” rather than a comprehensive ceasefire. Mahmood, despite defying Labour leader Keir Starmer to vote for a ceasefire in Gaza, faced criticism for a contentious interaction at a mosque, further influencing voters to support Khan.
The election night saw Labour achieving a landslide victory with over 411 seats in the House of Commons. However, in constituencies with high Muslim populations, pro-Palestine independent candidates made significant gains. Iqbal Mohamed unseated Labour’s Heather Iqbal in Dewsbury & Batley, and Adnan Hussain narrowly defeated Labour’s Kate Hollern in Blackburn. In Islington North, Jeremy Corbyn was reelected as an independent, emphasizing a government focused on peace.
Despite holding his London seat, Keir Starmer’s majority significantly decreased, reflecting the impact of the Gaza protest vote. Similarly, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting’s majority in Ilford North fell drastically.
Mahmood’s tenure in Birmingham Perry Barr was marked by controversies, including his support for the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq and his involvement in the debunked Trojan Horse conspiracy. His defeat by Khan signifies a shift in voter sentiment and highlights the growing influence of pro-Palestine positions in UK politics.
