Adnan Hussain, A Pro-Palestine Independent Candidate Ahead Of Labour MP In Blackburn? (X image@Mariahussain)
Reportedly, Adnan Hussain, the independent candidate in Blackburn who contested the elections with pro-Palestine stance, has defeated the incumbent Labour MP Kate Hollern by a margin of 132 votes.
Adnan marks a historical win in Blackburn. For the past 69 years, the northwestern ex-industrial town of Blackburn has been under the clasp of Labour party. Since 1955, Blackburn has been represented by Labour leaders including cabinet ministers Barbara Castle and Jack Straw.
The former MP, Kate Hollern won over 64.9 percent votes during the 2019 election. However, Labour leader, Keir Starmer’s early support for Israel on its war against Gaza has angered the Muslim voters, who constitute up to 35 percent of the local electorate. Several others, who were shocked to the core by the Israeli atrocities also appear to distance themselves from favouring Hollern.
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Labour party faced two rival independent candidates, who are on a pro-Palestine platform.
Tiger Patel, a taxi driver and local social media sensation. He is also an independent councilor who left Conservative party over its Gaza stance. The other one is Adnan Hussain, the 34-year-old, who runs a local legal practice. He is backed by a group of former Labour councillors who quit the party over its Gaza policy. Notably, in the local election took place in May, the group has became the borough’s second largest party.
During his election campaign, Adnan said, “If you elect me as your next member of parliament I will listen to your concerns and I will speak where people have not spoken till now. I will speak where your voices need to be reached. I will speak where others have remained silent so far. I promise to be that that loud voice in defence of our community whenever the need arises. I will explore avenues to bring about unity”, as quoted by media.
Speaking against Craig Murray, Worker’s Party candidate who leaned heavily on his history of supporting the Palestinian cause. While standing on Palestine platform, Hassan pointed out that Murray stood unsuccessfully as an “anti-war” candidate in Blackburn against Labour foreign secretary Jack Straw in 2005.
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He further said that, “I was raised in this community. I talk their language. I know their struggles. Gaza is important and it’s the reason why I stood. But poverty is a massive issue too and so is healthcare”.
He also criticised the Workers Party, because its leader, George Galloway, supports the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, which has overseen a war that has killed half a million people.
Blackburn is not the only place where pro-Palestine candidates have entered the election fray. In London’s Bethnal Green, and Stepney, two candidates – Tasnime Akunjee and Ajmal Masroor, are running against the Labour incumbent Rushanara Ali.
(With inputs from agencies)
