2024 UK General Election - Thoughts & Analysis
For many, elections are not a show of democracy, with the concept simply being a construct of imperialism to give citizens the inaccurate perception that their voices are heard.
And yes, whilst I agree that the Western form of democracy is at a decline, there are many reasons why I still believe that we SHOULD care about general elections, and why the results of today do prove that electorates voices can be heard.
To make a movement grow into its full potential, every avenue of change must be taken. That includes public action, pressuring through boycotts and divestment, and sanctions - but also the ballot box. Change can and must be made through the parliamentary route as well.
To no surprise, Labour won a landslide victory, with the Conservatives suffering a historic defeat. What should have been a day of celebration, is still very bittersweet for many who believe the Labour party has changed, and not for the better.
However, there are still aspects of this election result that are a remarkable achievement. If you look at individual statistics in specific constituencies, the Pro Palestine movement has sent shock waves through areas that were once Labour safe seats.
victories:
LEICESTER SOUTH:
Shockat Adam (Independent) has beaten Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth by 970 votes.
BLACKBURN:
Adnan Hussein (Independent) beat Labour’s Kate Hollern by a mere 132 votes.
DEWSBURY AND BATLEY:
Iqbal Mohamed (Independent) has beaten Labour’s Heather Iqbal by a magnificent 6,934 votes.
BIRMINGHAM PERRY BARR:
Ayoub Khan (Independent) has beaten Labour’s Khalid Mahmood by 507 votes.
KEY MAJORITIES SLASHED:
BETHNAL GREEN AND STEPNEY:
Labour’s Rushanara Ali has gone from a majority of 37,524 to only 1,689, winning against the Indepedent candidate Ajmal Masroor.
BIRMINGHAM YARDLEY:
Labour’s Jess Phillips now has a majority of only 693, from a previous majority of 12,720, winning against the Worker’s Party candidate Jody McIntyre.
BIRMINGHAM LADYWOOD:
Labour’s Shabana Mahmood has gone from a majority of 28,582 to only 3,400, winning against Independent candidate Akhmed Yakoob.
ILFORD NORTH:
Labour’s Wes Streeting won against prominent British Palestinian activist Leanne Mohamad by a mere 528 votes.
This was achieved by the Muslim community in only six weeks of organising.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS?
Every vote DOES actually count. The margins by which independents won/lost to Labour were extremely tight. If a few hundred people casted/did not cast their vote - the situations in these constituencies would be very different. If you did not vote, I hope you now understand why your vote could have made a difference.
We have succeeded in sending a message to the Labour Party. Although at the moment they are busy enjoying their landslide victory, it is clear that they have still lost seats to Independent candidates, and that many of their safe seats are now marginal seats due to the power of the Muslim vote. They are fully aware that they are losing their grasp on the Muslim community because of their stance on Palestine.
More needs to be done. This is simply the beginning of a very long route to changing the political system. Many constituencies failed at unseating Labour due to multiple Independent candidates standing. Muslims must become more united.
If this level of change was created in the space of a few months, imagine the magnitude of change that we can see in 5 years from now at the 2029 General Election. But for that to happen, we must stay focused on what unites as an electorate.
This election marked my first time voting. My generation is known to have a strong willingness to make change, but unfortunately that does not always translate in the voter turnout of 18-24 year olds. For me, it’s important that our community raises awareness on the importance of voting, and empower young voters in their ability to have their voice heard in multiple ways, one of which being through the ballot box.
Combine the young generation of voters, with a ‘woke’ and unified Muslim community - the scope for change is huge.
Let us all promise to continue our efforts in mobilising and campaigning for a Britain that actually serves our communities.
atiyahtalks