BIRMINGHAM: Labour Party parliamentary candidate for Birmingham Ladywood and close ally of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Shabana Mahmood, has shared that in her 14 years of public life as a Muslim woman of Pakistani-Kashmiri origin in the UK, she has encountered bullying and harassment, emphasising that being a Muslim woman in public life is a challenge.
In an interview with Geo newsMahmood explained that she had not previously spoken about such harassment because she did not want people “especially our sisters, daughters, to perceive politics in a negative way and be deterred by the challenges of bullying and harassment.”
The Shadow Justice Secretary stressed that in a free democracy, everyone should participate in elections free from fear of harassment or abuse.
Expelling women from the democratic process through intimidation is unacceptable, she said, stressing the importance of candidates standing freely for election and voters casting their ballots without any form of coercion.
Mahmood shared her experience in the current environment riddled with divisions and hatred, much of it misogynistic in nature and fueled by fake news.
In her Birmingham constituency, which she won some 14 years ago, Mahmood, an Oxford graduate and a leading figure in Keir Starmer's inner circle, faces widespread misinformation, fake news and misogynistic attacks from a group of men vying to unseat her in this election.
In several parts of the district, her posters have been torn down. She has been accused of things she has not done and social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram have been used to direct hate towards her.
Mahmood, like many other Labour and Conservative politicians, is strictly constrained by party discipline and cannot say what she likes unless approved by the party machinery.
In an interview with Geo newsHe spoke of the deep pride and honour he feels in representing a minority faith and ethnicity in public life, and envisioned a future where these challenges can be openly addressed.
She said being the only Muslim woman to hold a key position in parliament is a motivating factor. Winning the election will bring her the important responsibility of heading a political department, a duty that drives her to work for a brighter future for future generations.
Mahmood has served as Labour's campaign manager during by-elections over the past two years and has been a member of Labour's National Executive Committee since 2016, playing a key role in preparing the party's manifesto for this week's July 4 election.
Responding to a question on the Palestinian issue and the ongoing war in Gaza, he said innocent children are being killed, cruelty is rampant and millions of people are deeply saddened and affected by it.
He said the Labour Party believes in a two-state solution and that this is the only way to end the conflict between Palestine and Israel.
Upon assuming power, the party will launch a peace process led by David Lammy, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, as the aim is to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and all diplomatic efforts will be devoted to this end, he said.
Asked about plans to improve the situation for disadvantaged communities in the UK, he said the Conservatives have been in power for the past 14 years, resulting in funding cuts and littered streets.
He pointed out that many of the current problems are a direct consequence of these 14 years of conservative government.
“Conservative Party policies have led to cuts in the local development budget. The Labour Party will immediately allocate resources to public services, including the appointment of more doctors, teachers and police officers. The main priority of the Labour government will be to achieve economic growth and prosperity, as tangible economic growth is essential to allocating resources to public services,” he added.
Mahmood also said that either Labour or the Conservatives will win on 5 July and that it is important for voters to “choose Labour and end the Conservative nightmare for a better future”.
