“Yemenite-British Woman, Abtisam Al-Subayhi, Makes History as First Yemeni-Origin MP in the British Parliament
Yemen Monitor/News Room
Abtisam Muhammad Al-Subayhi, a British politician of Yemeni origin, made history by winning a seat in the British Parliament as a Labor Party member, amidst controversy over the party’s stance on Gaza war.
Al-Subayhi won the (Sheffield Central) constituency with 16,569 votes, beating (Angela Smith) of the Green Party by 8,309 votes.
With this victory, Al-Subayhi becomes the first Yemeni-origin MP in the British Parliament.
Her win came as part of a sweeping victory for the Labor Party, which won a landslide election yesterday. This is one of the best electoral performances the party has achieved under Tony Blair’s leadership in 1997.
Al-Subayhi was one of several Arab and Muslim candidates who won seats in the election, including many who support Gaza. On her Facebook page, she wrote: “Thank you to everyone in Sheffield Central – those who voted for me, those who voted differently, and those who stayed home – I will be your voice. It is an honor and a privilege to be a member of Parliament.”
The Labor Party’s vote share decreased by an average of ten points in areas where Muslims make up more than 10% of the population.
Jonathan Ashworth, who was expected to join Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, lost his seat to independent candidate Shujaat Adam, one of at least four candidates who support Gaza and won their seats. Several other Labour candidates were on the verge of losing.
Adam, who raised his Palestinian cap at the end of his victory speech in Leicester South constituency, said: “This is for the people of Gaza.”
Independent candidates supporting Gaza also won in Blackburn and Dewsbury & Batley constituencies, defeating Labor candidates.
The Labour Party also lost in Islington North (North London) to former leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran socialist and Palestinian supporter who ran as an independent candidate.
Despite Labor’s claims to want to stop the fighting in Gaza, it has consistently supported Israel’s right to defend itself, angering some 3.9 million Muslims who make up 6.5% of Britain’s population.”
