Gaza independents to register new party

There has been much focus in recent weeks on Reform’s potential impact on British politics. But a rival quintet of insurgents has been quietly making their own plans too. In July, four independents were elected to parliament on a staunchly pro-Palestine ticket: Shockat Adam in Leicester South, Ayoub Khan who took Birmingham Perry Barr, Adnan Hussain won Blackburn and Iqbal Mohamed, victorious in Dewsbury and Batley. They have since formed an ‘Independent Alliance’ with Jeremy Corbyn, who stormed back in Islington North, and are referred to as ‘the Gaza five.’

Supporters are now understood to be stepping up their efforts to strengthen ties between members of the group. In the new year, paperwork is expected to be filed with the Electoral Commission to formally register a new political party. The as yet unnamed-entity will need to make clear that it has nothing to do with the ‘Independent Alliance (Kent)’ which currently boasts two seats on Tonbridge Borough Council. Adam, Khan and Hussain are understood to be the MPs most supportive of such a move, which aims to build on the momentum of the general election result by fielding candidates in May. Corbyn – with his 40-year membership of Labour – is likely to be more reluctant.

The upcoming local elections are not the most promising territory for a movement primarily defined by pro-Gaza sentiments. But the hope is that by standing in some of the more urban seats on county councils, they will be able to ‘break the habit’ of voters supporting Labour, in the words of one senior aide. They argue that Corbyn’s successful campaign in Islington North – in which scores of Corbynistas flocked to help his cause – shows how certain seats can be targeted by a ‘travelling army of support’ moving around the country and upsetting the established parties.

There is an awareness that by the next general election in 2028 or 2029, the situation in Gaza is likely to have reached a stalemate and will be less of a motivating factor, next time around. The challenge for the ‘Independent Alliance’ therefore is to channel its support and resources into finding fresh, fertile territory on which to fight a successful election campaign.