Why are British Muslim voters being accused of ‘sectarian’ politics?

The UK Labour Party achieved a significant victory last week, but notably, their vote share decreased sharply in constituencies with higher percentages of Muslim voters.

Some commentators labeled this trend as evidence of “sectarian” politics. However, academics and Muslim civil society groups, as reported by Middle East Eye (MEE), refuted this narrative, calling it a fear-mongering tactic.

Data shared with MEE revealed that in the 20 constituencies with the highest proportion of Muslims, Labour’s vote share declined by 15% to 45%. Labour’s early support for Israel’s war on Gaza is believed to be a key factor in this decline.

As a result, five independent candidates with pro-Palestinian platforms were elected, while several Labour MPs retained their seats but with significantly reduced majorities.

Following the results, many commentators quickly condemned the election of independent candidates as evidence of “sectarian” politics, defined as a narrow-minded adherence to a particular sect, usually ethnic or religious. Journalist Zoe Strimpel expressed concerns about rising sectarianism in Britain, specifically pointing to the success of pro-Palestinian candidates. Jake Wallis Simons, editor of the Jewish Chronicle, and television executive Danny Cohen accused the campaign The Muslim Vote of operating on sectarian principles and of Islamist intimidation poisoning politics.

However, many argue that Muslim voting patterns do not indicate sectarianism but rather a humanitarian stance. Shockat Adam, the new independent MP for Leicester South, emphasized unity and representing everyone during his campaign. A local Muslim resident mentioned that Adam’s understanding of the Gaza issue and his commitment to restoring the NHS and social care were reasons for his vote. This sentiment was echoed by non-Muslim voters like Amy, who saw Adam’s victory as a representation of genuine community needs.

Zara Mohammed, head of the Muslim Council of Britain, argued that accusations of Muslim sectarianism are meant to demonize Muslim groups and are not directed at any other faith or ethnic group engaging electorally. Dr. Khadijah Elshayyal from the University of Edinburgh added that claims of sectarianism stem from an inherent unease with Muslim political agency.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the need to address the gap in Muslim votes but dismissed the idea that it undermined Labour’s overall mandate. Health Secretary Wes Streeting admitted that Gaza had been a significant issue for Labour in this election.

Overall, the election results indicate that Muslims have not abandoned Labour entirely but are now voting for a more diverse range of parties and candidates. A YouGov poll found that a significant percentage of Bangladeshi and Pakistani voters intended to vote for the Green Party, which campaigned on a pro-Palestinian platform, alongside Labour.

Zara Mohammed highlighted that many Muslims voted based on the Gaza issue, reflecting broader societal disappointment with political parties’ responses to Gaza. The support for pro-Palestinian candidates extended beyond the Muslim community, complicating the notion of Gaza being a sectarian issue.

Dr. Fatima Rajina from De Montfort University noted that Muslims are utilizing their democratic rights to ensure their political demands are heard, despite facing Islamophobia and dog-whistle politics. Dr. Elshayyal pointed out that Labour needs to engage fruitfully with British Muslims and seriously address their concerns.

Rajina sees hope in Muslims re-engaging with party politics differently, viewing the rise of independent MPs as a politically invigorating movement that showcases alternative ways of doing politics, away from traditional party lines.