Shockat Adam
 | A request that this article title be changed to Shockat Adam Patel is under discussion. Please do not move this article until the discussion is closed. |
Shockat Adam | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Leicester South | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Ashworth |
| Majority | 979 (2.3%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Shockat Hussain Adam Patel |
| Political party | Independent |
| Website | shockatadam |
Shockat Hussain Adam Patel[1] is a British politician who has been Member of Parliament for Leicester South since 2024, serving as an independent.[2][3]
Career[edit]
Adam was the former Leicester chair of Muslim Engagement and Development, and spoke out against the 2022 Leicester unrest between Hindu and Muslim communities in the city.[4][5] Prior to his candidacy, he had never been a member of a political party, although he had supported Claudia Webbe's 2019 election campaign in Leicester East.[6]
Adam was elected in the 2024 United Kingdom general election as an independent, beating Labour candidate and Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth in a result that was described as an upset. Backlash against Labour's position on the Israel–Hamas war was a factor in Adam's victory, with Adam saying "this is for Gaza" when the results were announced.[7][8] In an interview with The Observer, Adam said his victory was not sectarian, and that his campaign had also focused on the National Health Service and the housing crisis.[9]
Personal life[edit]
According to Jewish News, he is the brother of Ismail Patel, the founder of the Friends of Al-Aqsa NGO based in Leicester.[10]
Reactions[edit]
Muslim independents' recent electoral successes have triggered criticism, with journalist Stephen Pollard calling it "the rise of sectarian voting," and The Daily Telegraph columnist Sam Ashworth-Hayes labelling these victories as "total, utter failures of integration." Adam responded that "People in certain positions of power and in the media weaponise terminologies, causing division between communities. And this is just another example of that, when involvement by minorities or involvement in the political system by Muslims is seen as a threat for some reason, whereas all they’re doing is exercising their democratic right and being part of the democratic process".[11]
References[edit]
- ^ "'This is for people of Gaza': Shockat Adam takes Labour's Jonathan Ashworth's Leicester South seat". Sky News. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ "Leicester South | General Election 2024 | Sky News". election.news.sky.com. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Siddique, Haroon (7 July 2024). "Who are the pro-Gaza independents who unseated Labour MPs?". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Specia, Megan (2 October 2022). "Tensions That Roiled English City Have Roots in India". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Goldberg, Adrian (21 September 2022). "'The First Time Politics in Our City was Played on Religious Grounds'". Byline Times. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Sykes, Ed (19 June 2024). "Ex-Labour voters say party 'kicked them in the teeth', insists independent challenger to Jon Ashworth". The Canary.
- ^ "Huge Shock As Labour Attack Dog Jonathan Ashworth Loses His Seat". Huffington Post. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Pro-Gaza candidates squeeze Labour vote in some constituencies". BBC News. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Jayanetti, Chaminda (6 July 2024). "Independent Muslim who beat Labour in Leicester says victory was not 'sectarian'". The Observer. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ Harpin, Lee (6 July 2024). "New MP who said election win was 'for Gaza' is brother of Islamist group founder". Jewish News. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Jayanetti, Chaminda (6 July 2024). "Independent Muslim who beat Labour in Leicester says victory was not 'sectarian'". The Guardian.
External links[edit]
- Profile at Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Contributions in Parliament at Hansard
- Record in Parliament at TheyWorkForYou
| Authority control databases: National |
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