On Monday, Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the Labour Party, announced the formation of a new pro-Palestinian "Independent Alliance", with four newly elected British Muslim members of Parliament.
Indian-origin Shockat Adam and Iqbal Mohammed, and Pakistani-origin Ayoub Khan and Adnan Hussain-who have now joined hands with Corbyn-represent the same strength as that of the far-right Reform UK, Northern Ireland's DUP, and one more than the four-MP Green Party and Plaid Cymru of Wales.
The MPs, all of whom ran in the July 4 general election on strong anti-Israel platforms, have joined together as an official parliamentary group in a bid to boost their chances of being selected for House of Commons debates and committees, which are allocated proportionally according to party size.
"We were elected by our constituents to provide hope in a Parliament of despair," said a statement from the new Independent Alliance.
Already this government has axed winter fuel allowance for some 10 million pensioners, voted to retain the two-child cap on benefits, and ignored demands to halt arms sales to Israel. "Millions are crying out for an actual alternative to austerity, inequality and war - and their voices deserve to be heard," the statement reads.
"As individuals, we were elected by our constituents in order to represent their concerns in Parliament on these matters and more, and we feel that as a collective grouping, we can continue doing this more effectively. The more MPs ready to stand up for these principles, the better. Our door is always open to other MPs who believe in a more equal and peaceful world," they added.
Corbyn, 75, is contesting as an Independent candidate from his London constituency of Islington North after he had been thrown out of the Labour Party for saying antisemitism in the party was "dramatically overstated".
Then, the leading Tory candidate cruised to victory against Labour's anointed representative in the general election, British Indian Praful Nargund. Meanwhile, Shockat Adam dislodged Labour heavyweight Jonathan Ashworth from Leicester South, and Iqbal Mohamed obtained over 40 percent in Dewsbury and Batley. During the same time, Ayoub Khan received his MP seat for Birmingham Perry Barr, and Adnan Hussain got elected MP for Blackburn in northern England.
All five MPs which make up the new Independent Alliance have been united in their very vocal stance over the conflict in Gaza and demanding that the UK stop all arms sales to Israel.
By pooling their resources with fellow Independent MPs, the group expects better representation during the Prime Minister's Questions and other regular debates in the Commons which is back this week after a summer recess.
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