Independent pro-Palestinian candidates have made significant gains in the general election, taking several seats from Labour’s anticipated majority. Labour MP Zarah Sultana acknowledged that the party’s stance on the war in Palestine contributed to Sir Keir Starmer losing support in certain areas.
Among the surprising victories was veteran MP and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who was re-elected in Islington North as an independent. The most dramatic upset occurred in Leicester South, where Jonathan Ashworth, a prominent frontbencher, lost to independent candidate Shockat Adam. Adam had previously criticized Ashworth for not voting for a ceasefire to end the violence in Gaza.
Labour also faced defeats in Dewsbury and Batley, where independent Iqbal Mohammed secured a victory. Mohammed attributed his win to his stance on Gaza, the NHS, and the cost of living crisis, which resonated with voters disillusioned with traditional political parties. Similarly, in Blackburn, independent candidate Adnan Hussain won a seat. In Birmingham, long-standing Labour MP Khalid Mahmood was unseated by another independent candidate.
New Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain addressed voters, saying, “I promise to make your concerns against the injustice being inflicted against the people of Gaza be heard in the places where our so-called representatives failed.”