Labour’s thumping majority has remodeled the end-of-days ambiance within the Home of Commons beneath the clapped-out Conservatives into certainly one of buzzy optimism.
It’s a way more various parliament, with the very best variety of Muslim MPs ever. As one such MP, again for a fourth time period, I used to be sufficiently emboldened to swear my oath of allegiance on the Qur’an, having beforehand chosen the atheist affirmation.
However because the euphoria subsides, some nagging issues persist. Not all our former parliamentary colleagues have been returned. Victims of Labour’s now modified however poorly communicated stance on Gaza included two shadow cupboard ministers in addition to much less well-known backbenchers: private tragedies all.
In west London, I confronted my hardest marketing campaign on this 12 months once we received large. Public hustings the place all candidates current themselves to be quizzed by voters are an election staple. I’ve all the time honoured all invitations (a document 13 in 2015) however I perceive why this time some candidates refused to take part in any.
I used to be always barracked all through all of mine, with accusations of genocide being hurled at me although I used to be certainly one of 56 Labour MP Gaza rebels. I’ve served on a delegation to Palestine, which is an expertise that makes you need to communicate up. And I voted for a ceasefire earlier than it was modern, ie Labour celebration coverage.
The continual and creepy filming by the Staff celebration throughout one assembly – together with following me out to feed the social media narrative that I used to be “chased away” – meant I used to be trapped in a stand-off after the following hustings, ready for the coast to be clear to depart.
Stating my document to audiences of hostile crops meant it fell on deaf ears. The advanced state of affairs of Gaza has proven that we stay in instances the place there may be little room for nuance or understanding. My reference to Hamas’s foundational constitution triggered peak apoplexy. Why hearken to explanations should you’re solely keen on branding Labour as supporters of genocide?
Whereas the SNP’s movement calling for a right away ceasefire final November took on an virtually litmus check significance within the media, the vote amounted to little or no exterior parliamentary game-playing. An opposition day movement can by no means power the federal government’s hand in actuality. I backed it nonetheless in full information that the general public wouldn’t see it that approach.
Persons are understandably upset; I’m too. Many tens of 1000’s of ladies and youngsters have been killed however we’re being undermined by a egocentric, offended minority who refuse to hearken to motive. Ditto Simply Cease Oil, who could have laudable goals however make use of deeply off-putting ways. All of us need a right away ceasefire. How is it serving to to personalise and intimidate? Individuals in Gaza are being killed and all of the poisonous, single-issue fringe need to do is smear and sneer. Two MPs have been killed in my time in parliament – the logical conclusion of whipping up a hate-filled frenzy.
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Encouragingly, Labour has in its first few days indicated positions far stronger than the Conservatives ever did on a ceasefire, Palestinian recognition and Netanyahu’s ICC arrest warrant.
I scored my greatest majority but within the election, however am absolutely conscious there may be a lot to do to rebuild belief and confidence, not simply with “Muslims” (themselves comprising a number of communities) however with many segments of the voters and in politics as an entire.
The work begins right here. However when your interlocutors have their fingers of their ears, it’s going to be a tough job.
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