Shockat Hussain Adam Patel[1] (born 1972[2]) is a British businessman, optometrist, and independent politician who has served as the Member of Parliament for Leicester South since 2024.[3][4]
Shockat Adam | |
|---|---|
| Member of Parliament for Leicester South | |
| Assumed office 4 July 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Ashworth |
| Majority | 979 (2.3%) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Shockat Hussain Adam Patel 1972 Leicester, England |
| Political party | Independent |
| Alma mater | Manchester University |
| Website | shockatadam |
Career
editAdam was born into a Muslim family of Gujurati descent and grew up in Leicester, where he attended sixth-form college. He studied optometry at the University of Manchester. He is a director of Sask Optics which is owned by him, his wife and his brother Ismail Patel.[2]
Adam was the former Leicester chair of Muslim Engagement and Development, and spoke out against the 2022 Leicester unrest between Hindu and Muslim communities in the city.[5][6] Prior to his candidacy, he had never been a member of a political party, although, in the 2019 general election, he had supported Labour Party candidate Claudia Webbe's campaign in Leicester East.[7]
Adam was elected in the 2024 United Kingdom general election as an independent, beating Labour candidate and Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth in a result that was described as an upset. Backlash against Labour's position on the Israel–Hamas war was a factor in Adam's victory, with Adam saying "this is for Gaza" while holding a Palestinian keffiyeh aloft[2] when the results were announced.[8][9] In an interview with The Observer, Adam said his victory was not sectarian, and that his campaign had also focused on the National Health Service and the housing crisis.[10]
Personal life
editHe is the brother of Ismail Patel, the founder of the Friends of Al-Aqsa NGO based in Leicester.[11][2]
References
edit- ^ "'This is for people of Gaza': Shockat Adam takes Labour's Jonathan Ashworth's Leicester South seat". Sky News. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d Pogrund, Gabriel (14 July 2024). "The election shock, the Gaza leaflets and the police investigation". Sunday Times. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ "Leicester South | General Election 2024 | Sky News". election.news.sky.com. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Siddique, Haroon (7 July 2024). "Who are the pro-Gaza independents who unseated Labour MPs?". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Specia, Megan (2 October 2022). "Tensions That Roiled English City Have Roots in India". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Goldberg, Adrian (21 September 2022). "'The First Time Politics in Our City was Played on Religious Grounds'". Byline Times. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
- ^ Sykes, Ed (19 June 2024). "Ex-Labour voters say party 'kicked them in the teeth', insists independent challenger to Jon Ashworth". The Canary.
- ^ "Huge Shock As Labour Attack Dog Jonathan Ashworth Loses His Seat". Huffington Post. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ "Pro-Gaza candidates squeeze Labour vote in some constituencies". BBC News. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Jayanetti, Chaminda (6 July 2024). "Independent Muslim who beat Labour in Leicester says victory was not 'sectarian'". The Observer. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ Harpin, Lee (6 July 2024). "New MP who said election win was 'for Gaza' is brother of Islamist group founder". Jewish News. Retrieved 6 July 2024.